The Danish
caricatures of Muhammad have created
a cultural, political and economic
crisis all over the world. This
conflict cannot be understood within
the context of a “clash of
civilisations”. The Islamist
offensive begun in the name of
“defending Muslims’ beliefs” aims to
silence everyone who wants to
criticise or express his or her
beliefs freely. The Islamists are
going after freedom of expression
even in Europe, where it has
historically been safe. They have
built a prison and a cage for
freedom in the countries where they
hold power. But they are not
satisfied with that: they want to
put freedom of expression in Europe
in the same cage. Their goal is that
from now on, no one should be dare
to say anything against Islam or the
prophet Muhammad, even in Europe.
On the other hand, in the name of defending freedom of expression and democracy, the European right is seeking to attack anyone who comes from the so-called Islamic world. According to them, those of us who are from eastern or Middle Eastern countries have a different culture and different civilisation. We have lesser rights; so to speak, we do not have the same freedom of speech and expression. Don’t they understand that we, many of whom fled to this country from laws and constitutions based on Islam, have the same right to freedom? The Islamic regimes there deprived us of this elemental right - now they want to repeat it here in the heart of liberal democracy! We should not be lumped together with those who assaulted us and violated our rights.
We say “No to the attacks of the Islamists on freedom of expression”.Everyone is free to voice his or her opinions, to make clear and express his or her thoughts. We say “no to the voices who consider us lower human beings”. I am against both the Islamists and the right wing who, in my opinion, promote racist ideas. We need freedom, absolute freedom.
Bahar Munzir
The representative of
Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq/ Norway
15.02.2006
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
*This article has been published in a Norwegian newspaper, “Aftenposten”, on 07.02.2006.
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