The 'Cartoon' calling for Boycott.

by H Muhammad


Of late 2005, Muslim world were shocked by caricatures of Muhammad (PBUH) published by Jyllands—Posten of Denmark. A lot of Muslim in the ‘Muslim Nation’ went frantic and retaliated by rioting, picketing, and some went to the extreme by torching down the Danish embassies. When the Danish government refused to apologize on behalf of Jyllands—Posten, some of the ‘educated and sophisticated’ Muslims professionals started to incite intolerance in a non-violence manner. They called for trade sanction against Denmark and called for boycott of the Danish goods.


I wrote this letter below to a writer - Dr.azly Rahman, who called for boycott of Danish goods in his article ‘Should we boycott Danish product?’ The writer is a columnist for Malaysiakini one of leading Malaysia online publication. I started the letter with a header of a quote by Frannk Llyod Wright in order to insinuate him for writing his ‘intelectually challenged’ article in call for the boycott.



‘I’m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of fools. Let’s start with typewriters’. Frank Llyod Wright (1868 – 1959)

Dear Dr Azly Rahman,

Best wishes to you and your family, may you and family be blessed with happiness and greatest well being.

Reading your writing reminded me of an incident with my 10 yr old son – my eldest. As parents, we’ve tried to teach him, nurture and guide him in all best possible ways for him to go through phases of growing up. Since he started primary school, we’ve kept on encouraging him to make his own decision with the hope that whatever challenges he may face and whatever decision he has to make later in life, it will be the best decision. One rule of thumb - never do onto others what you don’t want others to do onto you. It was as simple as that. I would also at times share with him news of major events going on around the world in order to expose and give him some understanding of what was going on. For example in the event of WTC 9/11; how it was so wrong for some western minds branding and generalizing ‘Muslims’ as terrorists just because the act of few suicidal pilots (supposedly Muslims) in the name of ‘jihad’.

But recently, I have to say that I was quite surprised by my son’s judgment, while we were watching local TV news. The news shown was on the events of rioting and torching down Danish embassy in retaliation to those stupid cartoons. While watching the news, my son made a statement,

‘come on lah people, it was only because of one cartoonist and his cartoons… why blame the whole Denmark’.

Later on I told him that I was proud of his judgment and told him that, for that matter he’d made better judgment than most adults did – the rioters, the embassy ‘torchers’, the picketers and the writers who called for boycott on Denmark goods just because of the stupid cartoons – and these are all adults.

I feel that kids at a young age, they tend to see, understand and relate to the world around them with sincerity and honesty, unlike some adults who see the world through corrupt and contemptuous lens and sometimes with hidden agenda in mind.

I’m sorry to say that I strongly feel on that specific issue my son did make better judgment than you did. As hurtful as it is for ordinary Muslim to be generalized as religious fanatics, so are the Danish when they are generalized as insensitive ignorant secularist fanatics.
Please help me to understand your rationale in calling for boycott of Danish Goods as a mean to penalize Jyllands-Posten and the cartoonist himself for their blasphemous act against Muhammad the prophet.

I feel that your call for boycott would only advocate the spirit of fanaticism and extremism in those with vulnerable and innocent minds. Don’t you think so?

I wonder if it ever crosses you mind that this kind of suggestion would implicitly sow the seed of negative stereotyping amongst humankind. And this in turn would further worsen and weaken the already fragile relationships. Would you agree that the call for such retaliatory act would instigate intolerance and hatred amongst cultures?

Don’t you think that there is a possibility that your call for radicalism will lead to fanaticism and senseless justification for violence? You are against violence, aren’t you?

I think you should know that I as a peace-loving Malaysian despise your self-righteous avowal of social prejudice and your patriotic rhetoric to justify your xenophobic call for boycott.

Dear Dr Azly, please help me understand this.

Why should Denmark, home of 5.5 millions Danish be penalized for the insensitive act of a cartoonist of Jyllands-Posten? Was it because;

a. Denmark was ranked third in E.U countries for total contribution (as per citizen) made to Tsunami victims.

b. However, most of the contributions went to the hardest hit area especially Acheh and Sri Langka but not Kuala Muda, Malaysia.

c. Danish mobile Hospital was stationed in Acheh but not Kuala Muda? (hang org Utara ka?)

d. As for their corporate responsibility programmes, LEGO set up ‘Save The Children Denmark’ to help the poor children in Ethiopia and Angola only but not Malaysia.

e. LEGO distributed tons of Lego toys every year to charity organizations around the world. f. LEGO toy products are very expensive.

g. The Danish government refused to apologize to the Muslims due to the values and principles the government upholds. However, on 31st Jan 2006, Jylland-Posten did make a statement, apologizing to the Muslims for publishing the cartoons.

h. 85% Danish professed Christian faith.

i. You don’t like Danish Cheese and you hate Danish Butter cookies.

Is your answer going to be all of the above? And that was why on 13th Feb 2006, almost 2 weeks after Jylland-Posten made the statement, you wrote ‘Should we boycott Danish Goods?’ in your column in Malaysia Kini.

I personally don’t condone the insensitive act of the cartoonist and Jylland-Posten. I understand why it had stirred wrath and anger amongst some Muslims due to their insensitive act. Having said that, I feel there’s a need for cross-cultural connection with regard to the issue. In this ‘information age’, Muslims should prepare themselves with the ideas of diverse social ideals, cultural values and moral principles – they’re right in front of our doorsteps. This readiness will equip them with the right competencies to face challenges in the ever-shrinking world.

I feel that in the event of ideals clash of such, to apply one’s religious taboo to others who don’t share the same belief is inappropriate. To over react would be unwise. If one strongly feels the need to react, the measures should be focused, selective and fitting. Wouldn’t you say so?

The irony of it all is that you are a columnist for ‘Malaysia kini’, who claimed to be the media championing free-speech ideals. Is it right for the Danish to assume that Malaysiakini calls for boycott of their goods? Wouldn’t it be silly if they were to assume Malaysiakini represents the views of Malaysians.

In summary, my point is you should able to differentiate the cartoonist, Jyllands-Posten and the Danish people as a whole.

Please let me make some comments of your posting.

You wrote in your article:

We wish to be called a "moderate Islamic" nation but do not know what that means in this context of global humiliation that continue to equate Islam with terrorism. Humiliating Muhammad the prophet of Islam was the most Fatal of all the humiliations. I do not think Europe will ever understood What Muhammad means to the Muslims.

I agree with you on that. Only ignorance and irrational mind would equate Islam with terrorism. Only dull and dim-witted mind would humiliate Muhammad the prophet and some of them would never ever understand. But what about those people (like you for example) who equate the cartoonist to Denmark and Europe?

Please if I may, I would suggest you work on your area of influence rather than your area of concern. Did you ever try to get *Malaysia kini* Editorials call for the boycott? I bet they will have a good laugh. Hmm, I wonder why *Malaysiakini* have to have disclaimer notes on editorial regarding columnist writings.

Honestly, to me your column on the boycott only illuminates the fallacy of hypocrisy in the highest order.

Regards,

H. Muhammad