Yes, Boycott Danish Products *

* After the unfortunate turnout of events, and after endless discussions I had at this blog and elsewhere, I have reshaped my opinion on this issue. Please read my most recent post and my reaction and that of other Syrian bloggers to the violent protests in Damascus.

I am very glad that Syria recalled its ambassador from Denmark to protest the recent publishing in a Danish newspaper of cartoons that insult prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Some people think that the Arab and Muslim reaction to this issue is exaggerated and that we might soon find ourselves getting into a new Salman Rushdie affair. I don't agree. While I strongly condemn any fatwa that calls for violence, and I feel bad that the Danish embassy in Damascus had to evacuate its staff in response to a false bomb threat, I think that a unified strong stance from Arab and Muslim countries, expressed through certain diplomatic measures, is quite appropriate.

 

Nobody should rationalize the insulting behavior of the Danish paper by saying that it is just a demonstration of freedom of speech that distinguishes the advanced world from our backward one. Saying that the non-backward people even dare to make fun of Jesus Christ (PBUH) is just a ridiculous justification.

 

Suppose that during the Israeli invasion of the West Bank and the massacre of Jenin, the same newspaper published a cartoon showing Moses as a sniper, David standing on a checkpoint or Solomon riding a tank... What would have happened? Israel would summon its ambassador. The US and major European countries would follow. Everybody would stand against the newspaper. There would be a thousand lawsuits against the cartoonist and all publishers will boycott him. The hassle wouldn't come to an end before strong and sincere public apologies from the newspaper, the cartoonist and maybe the government. Every other cartoonist in the world would think a hundred times before coming up with a similarly foolish idea.

 

But obviously, things are different when it comes to us, Arabs and Muslims. When we cried against the insult directed at our greatest idol and religious symbol, we were either ignored or accused of not understanding democracy and freedom of speech. We knew that the world couldn't care less about our feelings when newspapers all over Europe published the Danish cartoons again yesterday.

 

Now should we remain silent? No. Absolutely no. I totally support the diplomatic measures that Arab and Muslim countries are taking. I support popular protests as long as they are completely peaceful, and I support the call for boycotting Danish products as long as it is a street reaction that is not endorsed by governments.

 

Whether this should be considered freedom of speech and whether the newspaper should be punished or not is up to the Danish law to decide. Anyway, I will also exercise my right to freedom of speech and express my anger in all ways possible, so that nobody would feel easy about insulting me again.

 

Let's not allow others to underestimate us. Let's prove, at least once, that we can stand for our rights.