UAE Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs has strongly condemned some Danish and Norwegian newspapers for publishing blasphemous cartoons.
Minister Mohammad Al Dhaheri dismissed the publication of cartoons appearing in the Danish Jyllands-Posten last September, and republished by a Norwegian newspaper as “disgusting and irresponsible”.
Noting a rising wave of anti-Islam sentiments, the minister said these sentiments serve only to undermine the very principles heralded by the divine religions and adopted by international organisations.
Referring to the cartoons, Al Dhaheri said “this is cultural terrorism ... not freedom of expression. The repercussions of such irresponsible acts will have adverse impact on international relations.”
The minister called for applying deterrent international legal measures against such desecrating acts. He urged governments and civic organisations to protect religious symbols against violation.
So you see, those thinking that "the UAE is just like us" are drastically mistaken!!!
http://www.economist.com/cities/briefing.cfm?city_id=DUB
Mohammad Nakhira al-Daheri, the UAE's minister for justice and religious affairs, characterised the cartoons as “cultural extremism”. A number of prominent UAE supermarkets, including Carrefour, a French chain, removed Danish goods from their shelves as part of an unofficial boycott. UAE nationals and Muslim expatriates also staged a number of peaceful protests against Denmark.
But the UAE's response to the matter has been notable for its moderation: the boycott has clear limits, revealing Dubai’s liberal approach towards trading partners, and the street protests were subdued relative to those in other Arab countries.
They may have been "more subdued," but that's like saying that a military response was "more subdued" than Fat Man and Little Boy laying out Nagasaki and Hiroshima. It also reveals their "true" colors in where they truly stand. But no one cares!
Dubai: A UAE lawyer is suing the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten for defaming Islam.
http://www.gulfnews.com/indepth/danishcontroversy/more_stories/10015190.html
So while no one wants to know these things, they are relevant. As well, where is the support for freedom of expression? For tolerance of others (non-muslim) beliefs by UAE/Dubai???
Their philosophies are much different than we think. There may be economic synergies, but that's been the case throughout human history with philosophical differences often breaching and torpedoing the healthiest and most productive economic arrangements!
HEy there not like us in all things. I realize that. BUt so they got upset so what. There was no violence in the uae thats the point. In some ways I am sympathetic there is too much mockery of religion. BUt their outlook even culturally is becoming more western. At the end of the day I cant expect the UAE to suddenally say hey everyone here can blasoheme the prophet, allow the stores to sell pornorgraphy, and allow unfettered rights to an abortion. Its a different culture and I respect that. However, its amazing how despite the Conservative nature of Islam the UAE is very forward looking and not just in Economics. As to the Dubai lawyer wanting too sue. So what Lawyers sue here over everything
The point is I am not expecting them to have the exact same freedoms as here. There is at this point not the mood in their society for it.
"There may be economic synergies, but that's been the case throughout human history with philosophical differences often breaching and torpedoing the healthiest and most productive economic arrangements!"
Colonialism playing itself out again, and again, and again. SSDD ever since the day crude started coming out of the desert. WOT is passive-aggressive behavior, and fascism.
Communism didn't crash in Russia because we kept sending them money, did it?
Energy independence. It's the only way.