February 04, 2006
*UPDATED Taking a Stand
The Dominion Post, a Wellington, New Zealand Fairfax- owned newspaper published the controversial cartoons Val posted on the other day, depicting the Islamic prophet Mohammed.
Tim Pankhurst, the Dominion Post editor and Commonwealth chairman has exactly the right thinking on why these cartoons should not be censored.
"It's important for our readers to see what the fuss is about and to make up their own minds. Ours is a secular society based on western ideals of tolerance and open debate, even if that may occasionally offend.""We do not wish to be deliberately provocative but neither should we allow ourselves to be intimidated. If we allow Christianity and more particularly the Catholic Church and the Pope to be satirized, and we do, should Islam be treated differently?
The New Zealand Federation of Islamic Associations response validates Mr. Pankhurst's decision.
Javad Khan said the decision by The Dominion Post to publish the cartoons could have "serious repercussions" for New Zealand's economy. (emphasis mine)"We won't call for a boycott, and we don't want to see one, but news gets around the world pretty quickly. Muslims will make their own decisions and as you know, they've taken drastic action against Denmark."
So there you have it folks. The New Zealand Islamic Associations president threatens his nation because a newspaper published an offensive cartoon.
*UPDATE - Michelle Malkin has photos just in from the Muslim demonstrations in London. Their placards speak for themselves. Check it out here.
H/T - La Ventanita
Read the rest of the Sunday Times article here.
Posted by Ziva at February 4, 2006 03:50 PM
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Comments
This quote "If we allow Christianity and more particularly the Catholic Church and the Pope to be satirized, and we do, should Islam be treated differently?" sums it up perfectly, except it should've added Jews. And you don't see any Christians or Jews, burning embassies, or threatening the lives of other people. Like I said in my post there is a difference between "protest" and "criminal behavior"
Posted by: La Ventanita at February 4, 2006 03:53 PM
We do allow the Pope and Christianity to be insulted and "satired," but we don't have to like it. There is nothing wrong with Muslims getting angry or demonstrating or boycotting because of perceived insults to their religion. It becomes a problem when it crosses over into criminality or lawbreaking.
Posted by: Nanigo at February 4, 2006 04:37 PM
Nanigo, I'm not saying they can't be offended. They have every right to be offended, and by all means demonstrate and protest. But burning embassies? Threatening lives of citizens? Holding an entire nation accountable for the acts of a newspaper? Like I said, there is a difference between a "protest" and "criminal behavior"
Posted by: La Ventanita at February 4, 2006 05:34 PM
Time to buy some nice fresh New Zealand lamb and serve it with rolls buttered with nice fresh New Zealand butter. Ummmmm.
My point? Arabs can't shut themselves off from the world. We cordially invite them to boycott the productive world they so bitterly envy and eat sand instead.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at February 4, 2006 05:59 PM
Well said lets counter boycott. It would be great if we could get ahold of the boycott list and send support letters as well as having a shopping list. I am getting pretty tired of hearing that Islam is a religion of peace.
Posted by: pototo at February 4, 2006 06:44 PM
VAL! from CNN,
Now this is sick!
"The Bush administration may liken Hugo Chavez to Hitler, but the Venezuelan president was celebrated Friday in Cuba as an anti-imperialist worthy of the highest honors -- even a U.N. prize named for a Cuban independence hero."
Sheesh
Posted by: pototo at February 4, 2006 07:09 PM
Pity our government isn't on the side of the Dominion Post:
http://www.sirhumphreys.com/node/4411
You can read related material here, including reports from Chefen, a New Zealander living in Sweden who can understand the local papers:
http://www.sirhumphreys.com/taxonomy/term/113
Posted by: AL at February 4, 2006 07:58 PM
Posted by: Ñico at February 6, 2006 10:26 AM
Ñico- the above link is about a pissed off no doubt unstable individual. That's not the same thing as a religious leaders condoning mob violence and death threats in the name of said religion by its members. Apples and oranges friend.
Posted by: ziva at February 6, 2006 01:11 PM
c'mon people...givethem a break..they are truely the religion of peace...they're just a little ticked off right now-
Posted by: nurian at February 6, 2006 01:26 PM
Religion of peace my ass, unless I somehow missed the stories about peaceful Muslims taking to the streets in protest of the the violence. Fuck them.
Posted by: ziva at February 6, 2006 03:13 PM
for the record ziva: I was being sarcastic...
I have to explain for my humor is sometimes very subtle-
Posted by: nurian at February 8, 2006 11:10 AM
Nurian- I know you were being sarcastic, so was I. :)
Posted by: ziva at February 8, 2006 12:46 PM
que bueno- just making sure :)
I saw Michelle Malkin last night on Hannity and Colmes talking about this- They should have shown the pictures of these freaks with the signs...maybe they did...I didn't catch the whole thing -I always miss stuff since I watch 3 channels at the same time-
Posted by: nurian at February 8, 2006 01:17 PM
