Danish Peoples' Party: Muslims must apologize

Berlingske Tidende 08 September 2009
By Troels Mylenberg

The Danish Member of Parliament Martin Henriksen suggests that Denmark demands Islamic countries to issue an apology for oppression of women, stoning and assaults on civil liberties.

In response to the frequent Islamic demands for apologies and withdrawals, the latest being from the Saudi lawyer Faisal A.Z. Yamani towards Danish newspapers reprinting the Muhammad cartoons, the Danish Peoples' Party now takes aim in the opposite direction.

- I demand an apology for oppression of women, stoning, intimidation of adherents of other beliefs, violation of civil liberties, and not least the extensive contempt for Danish culture and democracy, Danes and Westerners, says social issues spokesman Martin Henriksen, who is seriously weary of Islamic countries and organisations repeatedly demanding Denmark and the Danes to apologize.

- I would like to simply return the ball to their court and demand some apologies from them. We could issue a form letter every time a new incident appears, says Martin Henriksen, who has already drafted such a letter:

We thank you for your inquery concerning a possible apology for a cartoon issued in Danish newspapers some years ago. We have considered the issue, also from a historical perspective, and conclude that we are not in a position to process your request before the Western world has received the following:

1. An apology for the massive repression of women.
   
2. A full stop of stoning, whipping and hanging for violation of Sharia law.
   
3. An apology for and full abandonment of: Persecution of adherents of other faiths, extensive riots and destruction in Western countries having received refugees and immigrants.

Martin Henriksen further proposes that a series of qualified historians list “the extensive number of assaults, ethnic cleansings etc. which throughout history have been committed in the name of Islam.”

Such an apology would seem fitting. When our demands have been met, obviously without reservations or conditions, we shall consider not to republish the cartoons in question, according to the proposal by Martin Henriksen.

Translators note: An apology for 14 centuries of conquest against non-Islamic countries would seem in order as well. An online poll at Danish daily BT shows over 70 % in favor of Martin Henriksens proposal.