Readers' views: Danish cartoon

There has been a furore over the publication of 12 caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) by Denmark's biggest-selling newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

Gulf News has been tracking the developments closely. On January 29, we asked our readers a question: "Do you think Denmark should apologise over the cartoons?" In response, we received hundreds of letters and e-mails from around the world, including Denmark. We publish here a selection of the letters.

Let's have a UN code
We all believe that the Almighty is the ultimate authority to punish the guilty. Therefore, we, being the servants of God, have no right to punish other humans. However, drawing cartoons or making disrespectful comments on any faith is unacceptable. Freedom of expression and democracy are meant to ensure expression of feelings, comments and suggestions in a respectful and healthy manner. It is high time the Danish government punished the guilty and apologised to the world in general, and not Muslims alone. Also, I wish the UN come out with a uniform code to punish offending individuals, publishers and nations.
From Mr M. Arath
Dubai

Protests necessary
Europeans and Americans portray Muslims as being fanatical. But it is a fact that Muslims have never demonstrated any animosity towards any religion. It's awful that the Danish community is trying to provoke Muslims. The blame for this rests entirely with the Danish government. Every Muslim country must summon the Danish ambassador posted there and advise him to stop such activities in Denmark. The Muslim community must be patient and give the Danish government a chance to get to the bottom of this immoral act.
From Mr N. Hussain
Abu Dhabi

Pardon the ignorance
As a Dane who has lived in Dubai for over four years, I can understand why Muslims are upset over the cartoons published in Jyllands-Posten. Such cartoons offend all the people ? Muslims, Christians and other religions alike. However, the Muslim world must realise that the publication of such cartoons is not a reflection of the ill will of Danes towards Muslims, but rather the ignorance and stupidity of a few individuals.
From Mr S. Jakobsen
Via e-mail

Inciting extremism
Such blasphemous acts incite extremism. It is time the Muslim community asks for a UN resolution banning any insult to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or else the world community would be playing into the hands of Al Qaida, which will lead to more attacks in Europe. The Muslim community must stay firm and demand an apology as well as a ban on such insults. If Muslims remain silent, we might face more such insults. It is time the world heard the voice of the Muslims.
From Mr H. Wolasmal
Dubai

Childish act
Printing the insulting cartoons was a childish act, meant to stir up a debate following threats to illustrators of a children's book (rightly or wrongly) depicting the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It is not the role of the government in a free and democratic society to pass decrees on what the free press should write. Nor is it the government's job to apologise on behalf of the press. In Denmark, there are laws protecting individuals and groups, including religious groups, from blasphemy and slander. The newspaper has apologised for any harm done and feelings hurt, so why should our Prime Minister apologise?
From Mr E. Ahrenkiel
Copenhagen, Denmark

Danes must apologise
It is unacceptable that people or countries should make fun of other's religion ? through cartoons, by destroying religious signs or other such acts. It is the responsibility of the country and the government, where such material originates, to punish or reprimand the offenders. I sincerely hope the Danish government realises the mistake and acts accordingly. I wish peace and good wishes to the people of the UAE.
From Mr L. De Bussher
Brugge, Belgium

What about books?
I am totally against acts that demean any religion. But I would like to know why books like Da Vinci Code and Hiram Key, which claim that Jesus ? who is revered in Islam ? had children and sexual relations with a woman, are sold here?
From Mr P. Anthony
Dubai

Let Allah decide
If anyone has drawn the cartoons with a dirty mind, Allah will surely punish him. Allah will safeguard His Book and His Prophets, so there is no need for Muslims to get excited about the foolish acts of a few hypocrites. Allah will punish the offenders if they have committed any misdeeds. We all just have to pray.
From Mr M.M. Sharief
Abu Dhabi

Unforgivable act
Denmark is a modern country and home to a number of Muslims. But this act of publishing and republishing such cartoons is deliberate. This is unforgivable as the publishers were well aware of Islam and [the sentiments of] Muslims. This is a deliberate political attempt to embarrass Muslims. Merely asking the Danish government to apologise is not enough. The cartoonists and the newspaper's owners should be tried in court and punished. Besides banning Danish and Norwegian products, Islamic countries should halt projects awarded to companies from these two countries.
From Mr T. Syed
Dubai

Don't blame the Danes
The Danish government, given its commitment to free press, cannot control the publication of cartoons. Also, there are more cartoons on Christianity than on Islam in the West. I'd say a majority of Left cartoons in the US make fun of conservative Christians. It's very common, just freedom of speech.
From Mr M. Paynter
Virginia, US

Apologise!
I believe the two Nordic newspapers should carry full-page apologies. I have seen the 12 cartoons and was flabbergasted! What were the newspapers trying to accomplish? Would the Danes keep quiet if we did something similar to what they have done? But we wouldn't, because we know how to respect other religions. The majority of Danes say their country shouldn't apologise for the ridiculous cartoons. I do believe that a (sincere) apology is required to calm Muslims. Only God will decide the fate of those who trample upon religion and make a mockery of it.
From A Reader
Via e-mail

Need for integration
Denmark, as a nation, cannot apologise for something a newspaper did. The laws of the country do not allow that. The Danish government has, however, said it was wrong to use the freedom of expression offered to the press to offend or hurt anyone. The newspaper that printed the cartoons has already apologised. In our country, we are striving to bring Muslim citizens into the mainstream, but some right-wing parties are making this difficult. And the recent boycotts and threats are putting wind in their sails. A Danish Citizen
Via e-mail

Support the boycott
After the publication of the cartoons, Saudi Arabia boycotted all Danish products. But I was surprised to find Danish products in supermarkets here. Ours being an Islamic country, we too should have joined the protest. It is our religious duty and everyone must do something. No newspaper or magazine in the Muslim world would ever think of publishing any demeaning article/caricature about Jesus or Moses or any other Prophet, since all of them are revered in Islam. Just as Denmark's press has freedom of speech, we Muslims have the freedom to buy or not to buy Danish products.
From Ms M. Samira
Abu Dhabi

Hateful incitement
This is nothing but hateful incitement. The West's disgusting abuse of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Islam in the name of freedom of speech is inexcusable. All Muslim nations and the OIC must act in tandem to put pressure on the UN to ensure that abusing the Prophet and Islam be made a criminal offence. The time to act is now. The cartoons reflect the level of moral bankruptcy which the so-called civilised nations of Europe suffer from.
From Mr H.A. Datoo
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Two sides to the coin
If one newspaper in Denmark did something tasteless and embarrassing way back in September 2005, it is an overreaction to boycott all Danish products now. In countries like Denmark, the government does not control the media as some people seem to believe. To hold Denmark's innocent dairy producers responsible for this lapse is quite grotesque. And by the same token, should Denmark or the West boycott Gulf oil whenever some media outlet in the region says or writes something stupid about Christianity or Judaism?
From Mr A. Ibrahim
London, UK

Spread the right image
Denmark should apologise to all Muslims through all possible means and through all forms of media. Muslims are being insulted almost everywhere and no one is taking a stand against it. People who crack jokes on the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and our leaders deserve to be punished as this is an attack on our beliefs and what we stand for. This insult is not freedom of expression by any means. The cartoons portray Islam as a violent religion. This is an affront to our religion. Muslims, and specifically wealthy Muslims, should use their money to spread the right image of Islam around the world.
From Ms D. Al Ali
Sharjah

Scar that will not heal
I will never buy any Danish product again and neither will I travel to this country ever in my life. I believe there are millions of others who have similar feelings. Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to abuse someone else's sentiments or religion. This is total disrespect of Islam and is unacceptable. Denmark has left a scar on the hearts of Muslims which cannot be healed by any means.
From Mr S. Razaaq
Sharjah

Burden of free speech
By any measure, Denmark has long been one of the freest, most open and tolerant societies in the world. In democratic countries, free speech also applies to religion. Unfortunately, one of the burdens of free speech is that feelings and sensibilities are sometimes hurt. But if Muslims are so convinced that they are right in their religious beliefs, how does it matter what others think or say? It is a fact that Muslims have freedom of speech and religion in Denmark and other democracies. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for non-Muslims living in some Islamic countries.
From Mr R. Postnikoff
Al Ain

Ban travel and trade
Simply boycotting Danish products is not enough. It will not heal our feelings. Recent polls regarding an apology clearly show how arrogant the Danes are. They are refusing to offer an apology! This is a deliberate attempt to insult our religion under the false pretext of "freedom of expression". All Muslim nations should impose a ban on trade and travel with Denmark and shut down its embassies.
From Mr S. Wani
Srinagar, India

Too expensive
Can't all Muslims be taken out of Denmark? We, in Denmark, don't want them. They are too expensive for us. The Christian Danes offer them homes, hospitality, school, all welfare services and money. Most of them don't work, and they have lived here for years without doing anything. And now we are tired of them.
From Mr C. Christiansen
Denmark

Stay within limits
I am a Christian. And if a company or newspaper were to portray Jesus Christ in a poor light, the way the Danish newspaper did, then I would surely be angry. I think it was irresponsible of the newspaper to have done such a stupid thing. The bottomline is companies promoting products should not make any reference to any religion. Freedom of speech has its limits.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi

Spreading Islamophobia
Islam was the first religion to instill freedom of expression and belief about 1,400 years ago. The mere fact that the oldest churches in the world, which are in the Muslim world, remain intact is evidence enough of Islam's tolerance. Once freedom of expression starts insulting the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who is respected by 1.3 billion people, it becomes unacceptable. This is outright slandering, hate-mongering and spreading of Islamophobia at a time when we all should try to have a better understanding of each other.
From Mr A. Halabi
Dubai

Taken for granted
It is a shame for the entire Muslim community that anybody can write anything about our religion and get away with it. What's worse, the Danish government has refused to apologise for the offending cartoons. The Danes say their country guarantees freedom of speech. But in which language does "freedom of speech" mean hurting others? How will the Danes feel if Muslims were to respond to their dirty acts by abusing their religion?
From A Reader
Via e-mail

Who is being punished?
Ordinary Danes are being threatened. We help where we can, but we are being punished for a newspaper's articles. Don't you understand the principles of democracy? I was scared when I remembered that I once cared for Muslims.
From An Angry Dane
Denmark

Recall ambassadors
I think all Muslim countries should recall their ambassadors from Denmark. We, the Muslims, should let the world know how much we respect and love our Prophet and our religion. If Muslim countries don't take serious action now, somebody else might commit a similar mistake again.
From M. Ali
Doha, Qatar

Sad
It is very sad to see that Denmark did nothing to the paper that published those provocative and abusive cartoons. The least the government could do was to apologise to the Muslim world.
From Abdulhakim
Dubai

On the contrary
I am not saying people should not be angry at the act of the Danish newspaper but have you not felt angry when you saw your own brothers and sisters doing things contrary to Prophet Mohammad's teachings?
From Aysha
Dubai

Boycott!
Most Islamic countries have condemned the issue but still the Danish Government has not responded positively. All Muslims should boycott Denmark products and businesses.
From S. A Hameed
Abu Dhabi
 
Damage already done
The damage has already been done. The cartoons made fun of our prophet. The Danes do not even feel sorry for what they have done. They should be punished for this through a boycott of their products.
From Syed
Abu Dhabi
 
Appalling
I am surprised that editors of well-established newspapers would go this low to publishing caricatures of Prophet Mohammad. It is appalling. I just hope that the Islamic world does not condemn the normal everyday people of these countries because these cartoons do not represent their views.
From A Reader
Finland

No compromise
They must apologise.  We must express our feelings very strongly and make it clear that we will never compromise on these issues.
From Shameer
Dubai

Support
I support the Muslim community's decision to boycott all Danish products (even franchises) to show the world that we don't accept anyone making fun of any religion.  We don't accept anyone making fun of Jesus Christ or Moses or any of God's prophets.
From Issam
Dubai

Sympathy
I strongly believe that Denmark should apologise over this matter.  Making fun of a Prophet of any religion is totally unacceptable.  I am a Christian and I would feel the same if our Prophet was made fun of. Let's respect each others' religions. My sympathy goes to our Muslim brethren.
From Reg
Dubai

Limit to media freedom
In my opinion, a country would not apologise for the act of a person. It is indeed a serious issue but if Denmark wants to show solidarity and respect to the islamic world, they should condemn this act and punish the  cartoonist as well as the news paper's editor. Media freedom does not mean anyone can do or say whatever they wish to damage the credibility of a country or the image of the people.

If Denmark is for any reason not ready to punish them, then the best way would be the import ban on products from Denmark.
From Mohammad Rahim Payab
Via e-mail

A lesson to all
It will take much more than just an apology to make up for what Denmark has done.  Everything has its limits, even freedom, and they have  crossed the line.  They had an opportunity to rectify their mistake.  In addition. they (the Editor-in-chief and the Prime Minister) refused to even see the ambassadors and others who opposed these acts and completely ignored the issue, adding salt to the wound. 

Muslims would never stand for their religion to be abused in this manner.  This is where the Danish under-estimated them.  Hopefully, with the strict boycott and other ways of condemning this act,  Denmark will realise their mistake and this will be a lesson to all others who think of meddling in matters they have no knowledge about.
From S.N.A.,
Dubai
 
Very sad
From what I hear, there are a plenty of indications that several groups of people  (on "both" sides) are using this issue to increase the "confrontation" instead of creating understanding for different customs in different parts of the world. I find this very sad.
From M.M.
Via e-mail

A disgrace
The pictures that were published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten, were extremely bad for a person for any relegion to see. Being a non-Muslim I was touched. Its a disgrace to publish such pictures.
From Jugal Java
Dubai

Pained to see such anger
It was inconsiderate and disrespectful of the Danish newspaper, Jyllandsposten - despite their constitutional right - to print the drawings of The Prophet (PBUH). Denmark respects Islam and shelters many Muslims who had to flee their countries. The Danish PM said in his New Year speech said that although we have freedom of expression one should always act respectfully. There is little else the government or courts can do.

We lived in Dubai four years and it pains us to see such anger. We would never judge the many Arabs we respect by the ill-acts of a few.
From Lisbeth Langkilde
Panama

Peaceful protest
There is no way that such an act can be tolerated. The least that people in power like those in the Gulf could do is to protest in a peacful way, by boycotting such people's comercial intrests.
From Imran Ahmed
Mumbai, India

Denmark must apologise
Let me say that I am a Muslim and being a Muslim, I respect and value my religion over anything else. Islam teaches us to respect everyone. Islam does not teach us to mock other religions.

Religious issues are very sensitive matters and must not be mixed with politics and other worldly matters. It is well-known that topics such as these always lead to conflicts and sour relationships.

I personally do not know how a government can allow their people to mock other religions. The Danish Government must apologise for what they have done by printing these images.  
From Habeeb
Via e-mail

Fredom with limits
Freedom of expression cannot be a naked dance of expression of thoughts, be it through words or caricatures or any other form of media. Freedom of expression has to be be within the limits of decency, which includes the sensitivities of others - be it religious, social or under any other banner.

No one has a right to insult the sensitivities of others under the banner of freedom of expression.
From Mohammed Abdul Aleem
Jeddah

Offer apology
It is incumbent on every Muslim to stand united on this issue and bycott products of Danish origin untill an official apology is issued by the Danish government or responsible news media.

Here more than a billion people have been outraged, and nations are asking for reason, explanation and an apology. Whats does a civilised person, responsible media, people and nation do? I shall make a guess...!

In the interests of world peace, we should respect each others'sentiments and if by  mistake another is harmed, should offer an apology.
From Mr Adil Sher
Via e-mail

Encourage debate
This is an act of fanaticism which proves again that leaders and influential media have lost their moral values. How can they promote religious harmony among their society?

To prevent such acts, civilised society has to encourage debates on religions and civilisations.
From Mr Shanavas C. Hassan
Oman

Larger role
They should apologise if they consider they are civilised and know the very meaning of 'freedom of expression'. We can ignore the cartoonist and the few people behind this act. But a Government has a larger role. They represent the people of Denmark and their image.
From Abdul Rahman
Via e-mail

Diplomacy is the answer
I am really distressed with the coverage of unnecessary topics nowadays in your newspaper. The matter was published in September in Denmark and now we are reacting to  it.

Journalism is a very responsibe profession. A mistake of a cartoonist should not reflect on other aspects of our relations.Danish farmers should not be victims of that cartoon. These matters should be resolved diplomatically and through cultural exchanges, not  the  way currently we are doing.   
From Nabaraj Kharal
Via e-mail

Dishonest
I don't buy the 'freedom of speech' argument used by the Danes and some mediafolks in Norway. This was an expression of hatred and hardly an exercise of freedom of speech.

No, I don't need an apology from the Danish media or their Prime Minister because such an "apology" would be inherently dishonest.
From A Reader
Name withheld by request

Blame game
A mistake by a newspaper should not be blamed on an entire nation, which is fighting beside Muslims in Iraq and Afganistan to secure freedom of speech and religion.
From Karl S. Rensen
Via e-mail

Double standards
The Danish Muslim community lawsuit against these offensive cartoons is great. The Muslim boycott of Danish products is good, too. It shows that Muslim opinion has leverage in the world, even if it is only economic repercussions that are feared.

Both actions are the civil thing to do, but I am wondering what this says about Muslims globally. We are willing to stand up to small Denmark, but think nothing of throwing our money at nations who have not just published some stupid cartoons, but are actually occupying, bombing and destroying Muslim lands? Does anyone see the hypocrisy here?
From A Reader
Name withheld by request

Thre must be limits
I condemn the Danish newspaper for printing blasphemous Caricature. I suggest that the ban on Danish products should not be lifted just after an apology is made. It should be that the media journalism should be free, but there should be a limit for everything.
From Mr Sadiq Qudduse
Sharjah

Let boycott spread
It is great that the boycott of Danish products  started in the Middle East. I hope that it starts in the rest of the Muslim states of the world as well.

Denmark has underestimated the fact that  Muslims are spread all over the world, and would not take insane behaviour regarding their traditions and values.
From A Reader
Name withheld by request

Press cannot be dictated to
It is of course everyone's own decision if they want to buy Danish goods or not, but they should realise that the cartoons in question have got nothing to do with the Danish Goverment whatsoever. They are a product of the opinion of a few individuals, which a newspaper chose to print.

The Danish Government has no right to dictate to the press what they can print. That would, in fact, be illegal if they tried to do so. Such is freedom of speech, like it or not.
From A Reader
Name withheld by request

Non-violent protest
Denmark should be punished by boycotting all trade for at least five years. A mere apology from them should not be accepted as enough.  It should be made clear to the world that Muslims will not tolerate any defamation of our Prophet (PBUH) and that we have our non-violent way of protesting.
From A Reader
Name withheld by request

Glad about boycott
Should we be happy with an apology? This means anyone can do such things and just apologise to make things fine. It's a matter of demeaning Muslims and Islam. No one has a right to do that to Islam or to any other religion. 

I am so glad that we are boycotting Danish products.
From Bilal Mahmood
Abu Dhabi

Put a stop to this
I want to direct the attention of the Muslims to one important fact about the Danish controversy.

There are chain emails going around urging Muslims to boycott Danish products and protest against their behaviour. They are working for a good purpose. But I plead with them not to include the web address saying that one can go and see those things for himself.  What good will it be to go and see those cartoons? Please help put a stop to this.
From Rehan Ullah Khan
Via e-mail

No cure for sick minds
As true Muslims, we should lead by example. We respect all religions but cannot cure all sick minds. These cartoons display the sick sense of Danish humour. Leave it for them to enjoy.

We should only care that this sick cultures do not influence our religion, culture or traditions.
From MrFeroz Mohammed
Abu Dhabi

Lack of perspective
Being a citizen in a country which has for many years supported the Palestinian case against Israeli opression, a country that is one of the major contributers (regarding population) to help the Pakistani Muslims caught in the disasters of the recent earthquake, a country that for many years has been working for democracy, human rights and protection of minorities all over the world, I can only wonder the loss of this perspective in the reactions towards Denmark these days.

If not stopped this may be very damaging to relations between people of this World.
From Mr Henrik Christensen
Denmark

Apology
The malicious cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon Him) are the works of an inferior Danish right-wing newspaper and are not in accordance with the majority of Danish opinion.

From our hearts we ask you to bear the lack of knowledge that unfortunately is the curse of a minority of my countrymen.
From Mr Jens Frederik, Larsen Faurby et al
Copenhagen, Denmark

Solidarity commendable
I was very pleased to see the protests made by UAE nationals condemning the Danish newspapers article that offended Muslims. It was a relief to see how all the Muslims from The UAE stick together in situations like this.
From Fareed Raja
Alabama, US

Cooling down tensions
Cartoons in a newspaper are made as respond to a provocation. Isn't it better that it uses a cartoon to cool down tensions?

I understand that people in the Middle East who don't know what is going on in Denmark are upset and to them I give an excuse.
From David Bo Jensen
Jydeholmen, Denmark

Coordinate boycott
It is time that Muslim nations must work together. Muslims nations must coordinate efforts in boycotting all products coming from these countries. Muslims should set up an agency to monitor countries that purposely do it out of hatred. Free speech doesn't mean one is free to create hatred about others.
From Amde Sidik
Malaysia

Target the publication
Democracies, by their nature (unlike theocracies), cannot shut down the press and much as Denmark might wish to, out of sheer embarrassment, the government there is shackled by the people's will to the fundamental rights of religious freedom and also freedom of expression.

For the justifiably outraged, the way is to target the publication itself with a steadfast boycott and litigation against it and its affiliations and interests. This will bring it bankruptcy and the silence it deserves.
Fram Mr Denis McClean
Abu Dhabi

Danes are tolerant
Denmark's government should apologise and punish those responsible. I live in Denmark and I have never heard anything bad said about the Muslim religion here. And the important thing is that a lot of Danish citizens take intrest in Islamic culture and Islamic religion.
From Mr Ahmed Nawaz
Denmark

Do not involve others
Please refrain from mentioning neigbouring countries or Scandinavia who have nothing to do with this when reporting regarding the Danish boycott.

In the long run such news coverage will just damage us all.
From S. Richards
Via e-mail

Without substance
Denmark is a democracy with a completely free press since the Constitition of 1848. What is published in a newspaper is the responsibility of that newspaper only, not that of the prime minister of the country. Hence an apology from him or any other official representative from Denmark would be useless and dishonest.

Denmark and Danish Citizens have nothing to do with this case. We are not involved neither as a Nation nor as a People.

As a Gulf News reader I feel disappointed that you don't look into the case and see what is really the substance rather than creating a public feeling against a whole country's people who have absolutely nothing to do with this issue.
From Dr. Soren Holbek
Abu Dhabi

PM cannot apologise
Most danes believe Muslims have been insulted. But it is impossible for Our Prime Minister to apologise for something a privately- owned newspaper has done. If he did so he would violate our democracy and the essence of the constitution on freedom of speech.

A lot of Danes feel with you, but we also feel we as a people we are punished for something we did not do and cannot do anything about, except not buying that newspaper.
From Mr J.Rasmussen
Denmark

Much ado about nothing
Regarding the rucus made about a cartoon issue in Denmark, at the risk of being misunderstood, I think it is ?much ado about nothing?. Why?

Well, great men and prophets cannot be belittled by puny men. In fact, most prophets in history have been vilified but their stature remains intact because of their actions and their wisdom.

Next do we really want to make celebrities out of these insensitive people? But that is exactly what we do. Who had heard of this cartoonist outside Denmark before the protests? 

In a well organised society there is always a legal mechanism to fall back on. The aggrieved party can do that and fight a battle in court against the cartoonist. I am sure there must be laws against insulting people?s religion in Denmark, and it is this path that is the most effective.
From Gabrielle Dube
Sharjah

Offensive actions
I find it extremely offensive that some people are allowed to publicly burn other nations' national symbols in public, which is not approved by law in most countries in Europe.

I have also not heard about anyone protesting when people want to kill people from peace-loving nations.
From Magnus Magnusson
Via e-mail

Take them to court
The answer is not just asking Danish government to apologise, or banning products. This is not enough. We should stall all projects with these countries, and we should getting the cartoonist, and newspaper's owner to an international court.
From Tariq Syed
Dubai

What a shame
If they themselves won't take the initiative for a public apology, what a shame! Nobody in his right mind would be delighted if his religion is being made fun of. Freedom of expression is neither the issue nor should be used to justify the issue.
From M. Halipa
Philippines

Don not expect more than apology
I think Denmark should publish an article in the same paper apologising for ignorance over the material published in the paper, acknowledging that it is unacceptable to criticise any religion, or to favour one over the other.

It would be naive to expect an apology more than this, and asking for more might certainly cause a major political problem.
From Nora Badry,
Denmark

Sign of ignorance
I believe Denmark should apologise because this is not a way to promote freedom of expression. Instead it is promotion of hatred. Its also a sign of ignorance.

I and many others do appreciate the democratic system but not at the expense of others or by degrading others.

In the so-called "free/modern world", people need to be able to learn how to respect sacred issues and each other....who don't have to believe or agree with what I believe, but at least you should not insult or degrade beliefs.
From Mohammad Al Awadhi
Via e-mail

Do not criticise religious beliefs
I believe that Denmark should apologise. It is a shame that even a lifetime of  education has not helped them in learning to never criticise the beliefs and the religion of others.

So what message is Denmark trying to convey?
From J.Eyasmin
Sharjah

Scant coverage
It is very sad to see how little this issue has been covered by the Arab media. Muslims must feel that there is someone who hears their voice and defends Islam.

We need a serious debate about this issue.
From Hewad Wolasmal
Dubai

Punishment for provocation
I don't think an apology would be enough. The editors in that newspaper were fully aware that such a cartoon would not please over 1.3 billion people, but still went ahead and published them. It was with the full intention of creating a negative reaction.

The newspaper should be suspended for some days, as a punishment for the provocation.
From Mr Samer Al Ogaidi
Via e-mail

No need to apologise
No of course they shouldn't apologise, it's called freedom of speech. There is so much double standards around here anyway. If you want to ban Danish products because of some cartoons in a Danish newspaper isn't that the same as saying all Arabs had a part in 9/11?
From Mr Thomas Maarup
Via e-mail

Respect each other
Freedom of speech is everybody's right, But there should  be limits. 

Everyone  has their own intensity about their own faith and it should be respected.  You cannot make a fun about any religion.

We should respect each other.
From Mr Muralee.N.V
Dubai

Immeadiate ban
All Danish products should  immediately be removed from supermarket shelves and all Scandinavian produce should be barred from all Muslim countries for ever more, whether there is an apology or not.
From Ms Nafisa Khan
Dubai

Deliberate attempt
Bboycott of foodstuff and accessories is not enough, it will not heal our feeling.

This is deliberate attemptto insult our religion under the false pretext of "freedom of expression". It is time that all Muslim nations should impose ban on any kind of trade and travels to Denmark and shut down embassies there.
From Suhail Wani
Srinagar, Kashmir

Remain united
In my opinion, i think What the Danish cartoonists have done was really terrible. I am proud that the Islamic nations have not let this go easily.

All religions are to be respected at all times. I hope all Muslims remain united together and fight for our rights.
From Mr Sam Forootan
Via e-mail

As for Jyllands-Posten the Danish newspaper and people with similar sentiments are concerned, they have exposed that they are extremely ill-educated as far as history is concerned or they know everything and they just want to radicalize the Muslims and if they wish to escape any reaction from the Muslims they have to give an unconditional apology.

But before blaming others on insulting the Holy Prophet (PBUH), I would like to call upon the whole Muslim population of the world. I would like to ask them, what have we reflected out of the teachings of the Holy Prophet. A true Muslim is said to be the reflection of the character of the Holy Prophet. Are we not lacking that character which can show the world the true picture of the teachings of Islam.

The time has come for all the Muslims of the world to gather their heads and find out the root of the problem which is giving our enemies a chance, to speak against Islam and the Prophet of Islam. Let us show the world that we are the followers of the best religion ever preached.               
From Mr Syed Abu Turab
Sharjah

Make it a success        
With regards to the Danish boycot it is a must for every Muslim to make this boycott a success. This is a peaceful way of showing our dissent and registering our protest. I congratulate the Saudi leadership for their stand of calling their envoy back. OIC members should follow the stand more strongly and with immediate effect.
From Hamza Ali
Abu Dhabi

Strong action needed
Of course, any true Muslim will seek an apology for such an act. Simply advising individuals to boycott their goods is not enough. Strong action is needed to show our uneasiness on this issue.
From Mr Majid Hussain
Dubai

Time to stand firm
We not only should boycott their products but also cut off our diplomatic relations with them. Its not the first time that they hurt our sentiments and feelings. Now its high time, to follow proper Islam, (religion of peace and Prosperity), work hard together, erase the differences with other Muslim brothers and stand firm.
From Iqbal Khan
Via e-mail