Cartoon controversy "not a clash of civilisations"

Speech in the European Parliament on the 'Cartoon'-affair by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES

It is terrible and disturbing to see people getting killed, to see the burning of the flag of my own and other countries, attacks on embassies and calls on boycotts that cost lots of innocent people their jobs.

It is even more sad since the history of the countries under attack is about tolerance, understanding and respect for other people. We have been in the frontline of international solidarity and of aiding poor people around the world economically and politically. We have always been advocates for justice and the people's right to a constitutional state in peaceful co-existence - especially in Palestine.

It is therefore completely essential that the violence inflamed by the cartoons in a Danish newspaper does not get out of control. It must not become a far more extensive clash between Europe and the Muslim world. It is not a clash of civilisations - and it will not be.

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Europe stands for the opposite of xenophobia and intolerance. Europe's values are based on mutual respect for people and religions. Our own bloody history has taught us co-existence in mutual understanding and the wisdom of dignity.

With that in mind the first thing that I would like to say to the Muslim world today and to everybody in Europe is this: Freedom of speech cannot be compromised. No government and no citizen can question this freedom. But the freedom of speech does not operate in a vacuum. It must and should be used in a responsible way.

And we cannot compromise respect for other people and religions. This is also a fundamental part of the human rights, on which Europe and the United Nations are based.
Consequently, freedom of speech and mutual respect must go hand in hand.

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I would like to use my freedom of speech to disassociate myself from the decision to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a Danish newspaper some months ago. It was arrogant and disrespectful. It showed a total lack of knowledge about Islam.

Those cartoons do not express the general opinion of ordinary people in Denmark. We are well aware that we do not need to criticise others or look down on what is considered sacred by others in order to love our own country.

I know that in Europe many cannot understand the Danish Prime Minister's refusal to meet with ambassadors from the Arab world. I do not understand that either. Still, what is done cannot be undone. And most importantly now: The Danish government has subsequently used its freedom of speech to emphasize respect for other people and their religions. Now we must look ahead.

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We want to send a clear signal today. We are determined to ignore new provocations, which can be used by extremists in Europe and in the Muslim world to inflame violence and intolerance and create new myths about each other.

We have seen it so many times before with xenophobic and populist parties in Europe - and with the extremist movements in the Muslim world. We say no to those who claim it is "them against us".

For much too long extremists from both sides have been allowed to play their false tune. And worst of all, they have inflamed hatred, fear and prejudice and gained an audience for their views. It is time for moderate and responsible voices to set a new agenda, which clearly and unambiguously shows that there is another way.

We in Europe do not want to add fuel to the fire of extremists. Here in the European Parliament we have a clear message: We want to unite all forces in a new and far stronger dialogue with the Islamic world building on unconditional respect - a respect extending beyond borders and applying to all people and religions.

We know that we live in the globalised world. This gives us a special responsibility. In this globalised world, it is not "them against us" - we are one.

And no -  it is not a clash between religions or civilizations. What we have witnessed are ignorant acts creating humiliation and insult. And this was used by the extremists to inflame hatred and violence.

However, trying to understand the reactions - those cartoons together with manipulation from extremists were the last straw. Let us not forget the many years of social and economic frustrations in many Muslim societies. Let us realise what humiliation and arrogance from those with power and wealth can result in. Let us not fall prey to short sighted sanctions but instead stand by our economic and political cooperation. But what has been done, cannot be undone.

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Let us put behind us what the cartoons initiated. Let it be the last thing we see that can be used by the extremists to inflame hatred.

And let the next step be to build a stronger dialogue on how we develop and renew   cooperation between the Muslim world and Europe. Now we must look ahead, now we must stick together. Now there must be a stop to the violence. Now our solidarity must be maintained.
Now it is time for the dialogue to start.