Scandal in Scandinavia

Over the past few months, scandals have overtaken Scandinavian headlines, particularly in Denmark-- a country often praised for its socially progressive and unified populous. Now the Danes find themselves challenged to show forth the progressive ideals they so pride themselves on. Like the whole of Scandinavia, Denmark is a homogenous community and their scope of interaction and experience with other nations and cultures has been limited. Recent demographic fluctuations and the rise of immigrant populations--specifically Muslim populations-- in Europe have challenged and infringed upon their comfortable status quo.

In the wake of such changes across the entirety of Europe, will Scandinavia be inclusive and capable of modelling to others their exceptionally progressive attitudes and values? This is a question the Queen of Denmark put forward months ago; unfortunately, she was criticized for making such statements--what else is a Queen to do if not offer a voice of encouragement and reason to her countrymen? It comes then as no surprise that the focus of controversy has been in the land of the Danes. Cartoons grossly depicting Muslims, a Member of Parliament referring to Muslims as cancerous growths, and now another caricature, this time portraying the Prophet Muhammad, have created an egregious situation indeed.


Timeline:

30 Sept: Danish paper publishes cartoons

20 Oct: Muslim ambassadors complain to Danish PM

10 Jan: Norwegian publication reprints cartoons

26 Jan: Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador

30 Jan: Gunmen raid EU's Gaza office demanding apology

31 Jan: Danish paper apologises

1 Feb: Papers in France, Germany, Italy and Spain reprint cartoons

Denmark is just one example of many. Immigration, which has often been a contentious issue in the United States, has become increasingly problematic in Europe and come to the fore of recent political campaigns and elections, whether in Britain, Denmark, Sweden, or France, to name but a few. The onslaught of failing states and political instability in both Africa and the Middle East has forced many peoples and families to seek asylum elsewhere--most conveniently in Europe. However, racism and prejudice aggravated by the fear of terrorism, and the quandary of what to do with a rising majority of traditionally religious Muslim immigrants into pridefully secular European countries/populations, in tandem with the frustration of first-generation immigrant youth finding themselves estranged between two cultures and deprived of the equal social and legal status needed to access educational opportunities and gainful employment is severe. To be fair, Europe's unemployment rate, especially among youth, has been incessant, but the situation is only amplified for those of immigrant and minority backgrounds. Unemployment in Europe, the frustrations of youth, and the place of religion in general are issues truly challenging the European peoples and continent, and for many years, but with these new currents they can no longer be swept aside, under the rug. Yet, such problems seem to point to the inability of the current configuration of the state apparatus to cope with the domestic as well as international challenges which are aggrevaited by the rise of fanaticism, materialism, and shifting demographic patterns; sadly, the European Union is not doing much better...or rather all is silent on that front...

President Bush, echoing a Presidential Address given to the Philadelphia World Affairs Council on 12 December 2005, stated in his 31 January 2006 State of the Union Address: "In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting—yet it ends in danger and decline." And, "to confront the great issues before us, we must act in a sprit of goodwill and respect for one another." This is a watershed moment not only for America, whose founding President in his farewell address endorsed fierce isolationism, but for all nations. No one can afford to be passive or idle.

For Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark, diversity and socio-economic extremes are quite foreign. From it's inception, America, unlike Europe, has dealt with diversity of culture, creed, incomes, etc.... It is a country of immigrants, a country which was forced to confront religious plurality, racism, and other social issues throughout its history. It continues to be challenged, but at each impass, learns to be inclusive and more appreciative of its diverse population. President Bush, in his address to the World Affairs Council correlated America's strength and advantage with its diversity: of people, experience, thought, religion, and talents.

Most of Europe's interaction with diverse cultures and peoples has not been at home, or domestic, but rather on foreign territory and imposed by colonialism. Now, it is seriously confronted with diversity at its front door. It has yet to appreciate its own natural diversity, though none can deny Europe has made exceeding strides: it is not the Europe of the 20th century.While most likely, in the short-term, the agitation will continue and worsen, in the long term, the people and countries of Europe will have to go past the facade of a diverse and unified European Union, embody equality and truly appreciate diversity. This pressure and fire provides an equal, though different challenge, to minority cultures and peoples within Europe, especially Muslims. Attitudes on both sides need to change, and close-minded fundamentalist mentalities as well as exclusivist ideals--whether secualr or religious--will serve no one.

The clairvoyant letters of Shoghi Effendi and the statements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (offered over 80 years ago) respectively come to mind:

… [T]he Western Hemisphere [is] now entering is a step fraught with possibilities such as no mind can adequately envisage. Its challenge is overwhelming and its potentialities unfathomable…. The hatreds that inflame, the rivalries that agitate, the controversies that confuse, the miseries that afflict, these races, nations and classes are bitter and of long standing. The influence and fanaticism, whether ecclesiastical or political, of potentially hostile organizations, firmly entrenched within their ancestral strongholds, are formidable.

... The issue of paramount importance in the world today is international peace. The European continent is like an arsenal, a storehouse of explosives ready for ignition, and one spark will set the whole of Europe aflame….

Unless this tide of hatred, racism, and prejudice are quelled, Paris aflame is only the beginning….

To read more, please visit the following links to articles from:

• The Brussels Journal
• Guardian Unlimited
• BBC News Coverage Online

Update [07.02.2006]: For fresh insights please reference the following blog entry, "Anti-Islamic Comics in Denmark", by my pal Omeed Rameshni.