Wolfgang Schaeuble Calls for Republication of Cartoons, Omar Al-Bashir Calls for An Overall Muslim Boycott of Denmark, Muslim Protests in Khartoum Denouncing Danish Unprovoked Aggression

Calls Mount for New Danish Boycott

Hasan Hatrash, Arab News

JEDDAH, 28 February 2008 —

E-mails and text messages calling for the boycott of Danish products have been circulating this week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the decision this month by 17 Danish newspapers to republish defamatory cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The cartoons — first published in a Danish newspaper in 2006 — caused outrage across the Muslim world, sparking a boycott of Danish products, which, according to various media sources, led to economic losses of over $1 billion.

Danish newspapers republished the cartoons in support of one of the men who drew the cartoons and who (was claimed to have) escaped an assassination attempt earlier this year. Calls for a new boycott are also being made on the Internet’s popular networking website, Facebook. Over 20 local and international groups have formed calling for a boycott.

In a move that is thought to escalate tensions, Wolfgang Schauble, German interior minister, yesterday expressed respect for the Danish newspapers’ decision to reprint the controversial cartoons and suggested that all European newspapers should follow suit.

A survey made by the Arab News revealed that people have slowly begun to react against the publication of the cartoons. Unlike the first boycott, grocery shops and supermarkets have so far not hung signs saying they do not sell Danish products.

Ahmed Awad, manager of the Al-Manar supermarket, said that since last week some people have begun to ask about Danish goods.

“Following the last boycott, we have started to slowly bring back Danish products,” he said.

Awad, who did not know of the reprinting of the cartoons, said, “If it is true, then we would certainly stop selling products from any country that has published the cartoons.”

Hatim Misfir, a government official, said that it is a matter of misunderstanding between cultures. “I appreciate freedom of the press and expression as long as it respects the beliefs and feelings of others,” he said, adding that the situation may escalate, especially following the German minister’s comments.

“European governments should assess the situation rationally. Is it worth the bother to create such political and economical disturbance just to prove that they have freedom of expression?” Misfir pointed out.

Salman Al-Harithi, business development manager of a private company, said that the situation is very delicate and unpredictable. “We don’t know what the public response would be if all European publications reprint the cartoons,” he said.

Many consumer products in the Kingdom are imported, often from Europe, he said, adding that there is an urgent need to clarify the situation and hold meetings — on a governmental, economic and social scale — to widen the bridges between the East and West.

Sudan decries Danes over prophet cartoon

By MOHAMED OSMAN, Associated Press Writer

February 27, 2008
KHARTOUM, Sudan -

President Omar al-Bashir vowed on Wednesday to ban Danes from Sudan and called for a Muslim boycott of Denmark before a crowd of tens of thousands denouncing the country at a government-backed protest against a cartoon satirizing Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of God be upon him).

The rally outside al-Bashir's palace in Khartoum was the biggest protest in the Muslim world since Danish papers reprinted the cartoon, seen by many Muslims as insulting to their religion's most revered figure. The demonstration raised fears that renewed protests over the cartoon — so far small and scattered — could grow.

"We urge all Muslims around the world to boycott Danish commodities, goods, companies, institutions, organizations and personalities," al-Bashir told the crowd.

"Down, down, Denmark!" shouted the protesters. Al-Bashir vowed that "not a single Danish foot will from now on desecrate the land of Sudan."

Khartoum began enforcing a ban on Danish products Tuesday.

But Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, speaking to Danish public television, warned that protests around the region "can become worse."

Earlier this month, 17 Danish newspapers reprinted the cartoon showing the (revered Prophet) Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban — a gesture of solidarity after police in the Scandinavian country claimed they uncovered a plot to kill the cartoon's artist.

Sudan was one of the nations where large protests were held against Denmark in 2006 when the cartoon and 11 others depicting (the Prophet) and Islam were first published. In riots that followed around the Muslim world, dozens of people were killed and several Danish embassies were attacked, while Danish goods were boycotted.

Khartoum's protest was peaceful Wednesday, ending after several hours.

The protesters carried banners reading: "We love you our dear Prophet," and shouted, "We will protect our Prophet, we will not be intimidated by America!"

Some media and Islamic clerics in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt have called for new boycotts of Danish goods. Yemen's parliament on Wednesday called for a boycott and ordered the halt of activities of the Yemeni-Danish Friendship Society, recently formed non-governmental organization.

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Associated Press Writer Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.

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German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble says all European newspapers should print these caricatures

Sudan bans Danes over Prophet cartoon

CNN, February 27, 2008

Germany's interior minister expressed respect for the newspapers' decision to reprint the cartoon, according to comments released Wednesday.

"I have respect for the fact that Danish newspapers have now all printed the Mohammed caricatures, on the basis (that) we will not let ourselves be divided," Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was quoted as saying by the weekly Die Zeit.

"Actually, all European newspapers should now print these caricatures, with the explanation: 'We also find them lousy, but the exercise of press freedom is no reason to practice violence,"' Schaeuble added

German minister assails alleged overreaction by Muslims to provocations
The Associated Press

Published: September 26, 2006

WASHINGTON German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble decried on Tuesday what he said was the tendency of some Muslim radicals to act in a "crazy" manner with minimal provocation.

Schaeuble, who is here on an official visit, also took sides with Pope Benedict XVI in the conflict with some Muslims that arose after a speech he gave two weeks ago at Regensburg University in Germany .

"I will never accept that it isn't allowed for the pope or anyone else to make such a speech," Schaeuble told reporters at a breakfast news conference.

In the same vein, he defended the right of Danish newspapers to print cartoons that many Muslims found offensive and generated protests in many countries.

"I will not accept that there will be violence because people don't like some pictures in newspapers," Schaeuble said.

He also said some non-Muslims go too far in attempting to accommodate Muslim sensitivities.

As an example, he cited a recent decision by a leading opera house in Germany to cancel a production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" after Berlin security officials warned of an "incalculable risk" because of scenes dealing with Islam, as well as other religions.

By showing too much deference to Muslims on such matters, he said, the non-Muslim world "will not succeed in convincing people" that free speech and tolerance "are better than fundamentalism."

He acknowledged that it is not easy to deal with a situation in which some Muslims react disproportionately to what he considered to be minor offenses.

"It's a difficult situation with some Muslims. They tend to use anything to become crazy. I can't accept that," he said.

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