Yemenis outraged over Europe’s insult to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) [Archives:2006/919/Reportage]

By: Hakim Almasmari
Hakim_almasmari@hotmail.com
Citizens nationwide have expressed their anger and serious displeasure over cartoons published in a Danish newspaper depicting the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) as a terrorist and a brutal personality.

Ironically, this happened more than three months ago, but only now is news of it spreading. The dispute began September 30, 2005 when Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) depicting him as a terrorist.

Late last year, Jyllands-Posten held a contest for the best drawings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). It published 12 cartoons, one of which showed him wearing a bomb-shaped turban with a burning fuse. Another portrayed him with a bushy, gray beard and wielding a sword, his eyes covered by a black rectangle. A third pictured a middle-aged Prophet (pbuh) in the desert with a walking stick in front of a donkey and a sunset. From a religious aspect, Islam bars any depiction of the Prophet (pbuh), even respectful ones, out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.

Citizens are outraged and devastated as they still try to understand why the Danish government would allow such pictures to be published. “Our hands are tied and our power is limited. It is the government's responsibility to take a firm and strong stance in protecting the rights of all Muslims,” said local citizen Sameer Abdul Baset, who was shocked after seeing the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) cartoons that hurt millions of Muslims around the world.

“We as Muslims respect all religions and prophets. You will never see a Muslim say or do anything to insult a different religion. This is how Islam teaches us to act when dealing with other religions,” he added. Islam is Denmark's second largest religion after the Protestant Lutheran church followed by 80 percent of the population.

Muslim organizations in Yemen and around the world demanded the Danish government openly to apologize, but until last Sunday, it has apologized only to the Saudi people, not to all Muslims. Saudi Arabia is major consumer of Danish dairy products and Denmark fears that a Saudi boycott of its products seriously could harm its economy. The Saudi and Libyan governments both recalled their ambassadors from Denmark in protest of this matter.

“We always blame Saudi Arabia for its negligence toward many issues, but this incident clearly has shown its sincerity toward Islamic issues,” said Mohammed Ali, a lecturer and preacher in the Shumaila zone of Sana'a. “I have never respected the Saudi regime like I do now. It has shown seriousness and love for the Prophet more than any other Muslim nation,” he added.

One of Europe's largest dairy producers, Arla Foods announced that its Saudi distributors have stopped selling its dairy products and begun boycotting Danish goods. In Yemen, where Danish products are not as widespread, many shop owners announced a complete boycott of all Danish products as a way to show their displeasure and protest this action. “I will not sell or buy Danish products as long as I live. They have insulted every Muslim and still refuse to apologize for their mistake,” said Yemeni merchant Ali Kholani, who previously sold many Danish products.

Ten Muslim ambassadors wrote a joint letter to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen asking him to take a stand on the issue, which he refused to do. Citing Denmark's free and independent press, he refused to intervene.

Earlier this week, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) criticized Danish authorities for their inaction and lack of apology for the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) depictions. The OIC represents 57 Muslim countries worldwide.

Hundreds of thousands of fliers were distributed nationwide explaining to citizens the magnitude of this issue. Millions of emails condemned Jyllands-Posten as citizens tried to do whatever possible to ensure justice in this matter. In the past, there have been cartoons depicting Islamic places and personalities, but never before has the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) been insulted.

Many people feel that Islamic governments have not done enough in this case, as only a handful have taken a firm and strong stance against Denmark. They argue that in a situation as critical as this, Muslims worldwide are demanding more than just an apology.

“Even if they apologize, do you think this matter will end? How could the government even allow such a contest? As a result, this shows their approval and prior knowledge of the case,” said Ahmad Al-Rada'i, who claims to have printed and distributed more than 5,000 fliers informing locals of the issue and defending the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).

These developments occur at a time when Muslims are trying to build a relationship with the West, as demands for reforms and democracy grow stronger. Local analyst Mukhtar Ali believes there is a hidden agenda behind this incident, as there is no other possible interpretation. “Denmark is a country not known to start trouble with other nations. This insult did not hurt a country or a group of people but the whole Islamic nation numbering more than a billion,” he said.
——
[archive-e:919-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-02-09-p:report]