No Danes in Indonesia

Denmark has already withdrawn diplomatic missions from the predominantly Islamic nations of Indonesia, Iran and Syria, following escalating threats and lack of governmental protection from these countries. Obviously, a theocracy is indifferent to diplomatic conventions when it comes to protecting the good name of their prophet. The entire situation over the Muhammad cartoons first published in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has reached a point not many had expected. The apparent ongoing fight between theocracy and freedom of speech is driving Danish citizens out of “hot zones” while intelligence reports claim serious security risks for Danes and Danish interests in these Muslim countries.

Remaining in Indonesia is said to pose an imminent risk to Danish citizens according to a BBC report. Unnamed extremists have been verified to actively seek Danes with intent to harm them – in protest of their country’s support over the satirical cartoons.

Honestly, Denmark has not been supportive of the cartoons. In fact, Danish officials have repeatedly apologized to anyone who may have been offended by them. What is difficult for an Islamic theocracy to comprehend though – is that the laws of the state are above those of Allah. And that a government has no control over what is published in a democratic country’s press – as long as it abides by local legislation. And these cartoons, however offensive, did not brake and Danish law. I don’t know if Denmark has legislation against instigating racial hatred, but even if they do – these cartoons hardly qualify as promoting racial hatred. They may be bigoted, distasteful and prejudicial, but they are satire – and I haven’t heard of any Danes hurting any Muslims after seeing the cartoons. What seems to be a threatening possibility though, is the exact opposite scenario.

I can only hope that the entire matter will stop right now, and the controversy will not claim any more lives or allow any more acts of hatred.