How can cartoons cause such a fuss?  The Denmark cartoons have led to international revulsion, protests and the upswing in support for far-right parties, including, in the UK, the BNP. They have led to over one hundred deaths, an Anti-Denmark boycott and a small counter “Support Denmark” rally in New York. The Thousands rallied in Trafalgar Square against the Cartoons and the increase in Islamophobia (And also to show that the freaks who from the Saviour sect who marched to test the limits of Freedom of Speach were unrepresentative) were ignored while the media chased a guy who proved there are limits to free speech (the point he was trying to make is true, but surely, if you accept their are limits to Free Speech and expression, you should not try to exceed them in this manner?) by wearing a mock Suicide Bomb Belt.

 The media is always in need of extremists and the fear they propogate to sell their wares.  The Western media played into the Far-Rights hands by following up on the Pathetic march of less than one hundred outside the Danish Embassy while effectively ignoring the message of close to ten thousand Muslims in Trafalgar Square.  This was repeated prior in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia where they almost gleefully reported on the cartoons which had appeared almost half a year ago in Denmark.  The Danish Muslims had, wisely, ignored the “newspapers” attempt at incitement.  As offensive as this Far-right newspaper was of itself, it was clearly looking for trouble and the persecuted minority of Denmark, a primarily Arab and Turkish Muslim population, did not give them the satisfaction. So, a group of Danish Imams went to Egypt, bringing a dossier of examples of hate levelled at Muslims in the Scandanavian nation, which included the cartoons.

 Danish Muslims make up a mere 2% of the population, but are villified and hated by many people in Denmark, including the Queen (Who informed her people that they should “show their opposition to Islam” – Or “These people” as she prefers to call Muslims).  The Cartoons are not the first nor the last time it’s media has incited hatred against Muslims.The Governing parties have introduced draconian laws explictly aimed at Muslims.  The Progressive Party of Denmark openly campaigns on a “Denmark with no Musselmen“. Its’ High-Courts have dismissed the idea that a woman be allowed to wear a headscarf if they want. Denmark took part in the war on Iraq, a war which left around one hundred thousand mostly Muslims dead. Muslim graves have been descrated and Mosques have been attacked. I could go on, but, Kiku Day summizes it better; “the Denmark that helped Jews flee from Nazi deportation is long gone. A new Denmark has appeared, a Denmark of intolerance and a deep-seated belief in its cultural superiority.”

In fairness, Denmark is not the only nation which has succumed to the peace that comes in having an identifiable religious enemy.  Life becomes simple when it is just black and white. Us: Good – Them: Bad, so simpletons europe over have flocked to give support to people like Jean Marie Le Pen and the Deutsche Alternative party.  Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who enjoyed taking her clothes off, described Muslims as “blood-thirsty savages“. The attacks on Muslims come from all sides, from the Left leaning Tribune, The Right leaning Express, the so called “homosexual terrorist” Peter Tatchell, Nazis and Communists, etc.

However, the simpletons of Denmark, when they elected the hate-filled bigots to power, bear some blame for the furore that erupted.  They elected representatives that demonised 2% of their population and that is just wrong.  Then, when the Ambassadors of ten Muslim nations requested a meeting with the Prime Minister they were refused, a deliberate action desgined to create enflamed reactions. That was also wrong. Not a word of support for the Muslim minority was issued by the Right-Wing Danish government, instead choosing to try and wash its hands of the affair as trouble boiled. 

Thankfully now though, Muslims around the world are aware of the pressures facing Danish Muslims, and Muslims around Europe.  Non-Muslims too have been made aware of the perilous Monolithic positions that they are applying to Muslims.  Hopefully, out of the hatred poured on Muslims by Danes, a new era of understanding can come forth and the intolerant Viking can be sent back to the dark Ages where he belongs.  Maybe, but, I’m not counting on it.