“A group of Arab and Muslim youth” have set up a website to apologize to Norway and Denmark for the reaction to the Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed. Included in the letter is the following:
We will note that we find the cartoons to be incendiary, insulting and very abrasive. We also take issue with the general stance of the Danish Newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which has a reputation for publishing inflammatory material. Yet, it would be wrong to take away their freedom of expression, regardless of how horrid their material is. We affirm our belief in freedom of expression and people’s right to express whatever opinions they hold. However, at the same time there is a need to realize that freedom of expression is a responsibility that should not be used to gratuitously insult people’s beliefs.
When confronted with such a situation, we deplore the use of violence in all its forms, as well as threats of violence and derogatory and racist remarks being thrown in the opposite direction. We condemn the shameful actions carried out by a few Arabs and Muslims around the world that have tarnished our image, and presented us as intolerant and close-minded bigots.Â
Anyone offended by the content of a publication has a vast choice of democratic and respectful methods of seeking redress. The most obvious are not buying the publication, writing letters to the editor or expressing their opinions in other venues. It is also possible to use one’s free choice in a democracy to conduct a boycott of the publication, and even a boycott of firms dealing with it. Yet an indiscriminate boycott of all the country’s firms is simply uncalled for and counter-productive. We would be allowing the extremists on both sides to prevail, while punishing the government and the whole population for the actions of an unrepresentative irresponsible few.
The authors also make the point that the media are focusing on the violent protests rather than peaceful ones. While I have not seen anything to the contrary other than a few pictures and largely what happened in Ankara yesterday, with the exception of the Priest, without question the media revolves around conflict to sell advertising space regardless of the medium.
It is nice to hear some people who condemn the cartoons yet wish to protest the cartoons peacefully and democratically. There is still some sanity left.
By way of Instapundit
Blue Star Chronicles linked with The End of Reason...
Panther6170 - 
Tom Killebrew - 
Emm Bayoumi - 
lyndsey -
Right…
But in the same statement, they say:
In the end, it will always come down to Israel – no matter how reasonable it sounds on the face of it.
Comment by Redhead Infidel — Wednesday, February 8, 2006 @ 11:31 am UTC
Dear MuslimBrothers,
Palestinians are saying sorry to Europe because they have Taqwa in Western life with Europeans and Americans, but not in Allah. If they have strong believe in Allah and Rasool (s) then why they need to say sorry to Denmark. When Dr. Yusuf Qaradawi performed the Friday sermon and expressed with his great knowledge and experience with western activities, then he says “The Muslim governments should also withdraw their ambassadors from Denmark and shut down its embassies on their territories as part of a political boycottâ€. But while Palestinians in Denmark and Europe sleeping with Europeans, and they just forgot who was Muhammed Sallallahu Alaiwasallam. Our brothers don’t worry because Allah says in Qur’an “LET THEM LEAVE TO EAT AND ENJOY, THEY WILL COME TO KNOWâ€
Comment by Abdul Rasheed — Tuesday, February 28, 2006 @ 4:05 am UTC
Abdul Rasheed:
A bit late for a comment but nevermind…
While I (probably) do not agree with your views on this subject or many other things in this life, I do thank you for your input here and hope that it will serve as an example for others, particularly those of religious belief!
I am of course referrring to your last statement – “LET THEM LEAVE TO EAT AND ENJOY, THEY WILL COME TO KNOWâ€.
Exactly! Why do religious people feel a need to prove themselves to others on this earth? Every one of them believes that punishment and reward will come to all upon death, so why get worked up while living? As you say, let others do as they want – they’ll get theirs in due time.
The way you see it, I’ll enjoy myself while alive and burn in hell forever, when I die.
For my part, I believe that I’ll enjoy life while alive and just die. You on the other hand, will miss out on most of the joys of living and, unfortunately, never learn your folly!
If we can just agree on that then everyone could live in peace in this world!
Comment by Adam — Wednesday, March 29, 2006 @ 9:27 am UTC