Article Title: “Danish Man Who Burned Quran is Prosecuted for Blasphemy” Publication by: New York Times Date of Publication: February 23rd, 2017 Author of Article: Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura The article “Danish Man Who Burned Quran is Prosecuted for Blasphemy,” is about a forty-two-year-old Danish man who made derogatory actions through facebook degrading the religion of Islam. The name of this man has not been released by the authorities, but he calls himself John Salvesen on facebook. The Danish government took action by prosecuting this man with Blasphemy, yet there are still contradictions relating to John Salvesen actions, the Anti-Immigration Danish People’s Party, and Kurt Westergaard newspaper cartoons. On December 27, 2015, John Salvesen posted a four minute and fifteen-second video, in which he burns a Quran in his backyard, on a Facebook group called “Yes to Freedom — No to Islam.” This Facebook group is littered with verbal and written derogatory attacks against the Islamic religion. Along with the video, John Salvesen wrote: “Consider your neighbor, it stinks when it burns.” The post was shared four hundred and fifteen times and a multitudinous of derogatory comments were attached. Due to the steadily rising uproar caused by freedom of speech clashing with religious sensitivities, John Salvesen was prosecuted with Blasphemy. A law that has only been invoked a few times, most recently in 1946. In court, John Salvesen’s lawyer claimed he burned the Quran in self-defense. The reason being, stated by his lawyer, that the Quran implies “Muhammad's followers must kill the infidel.” In the end, John Salvesen’s actions outweigh his surmise and he was prosecuted for Blasphemy. The antagonism related to immigration all started when extremist groups started a war in the Middle Eastern countries. This forced refugees from the Middle East to cross the Mediterranean and immigrate to European countries. In this case, we are focusing on the refugee immigration to Denmark. Denmark’s views were split into multiple sides. For instance, the governing principles, the Anti-Immigration Danish People’s Party, and the civilians welcoming the refugees running from a fatal crisis. In 2010, twelve cartoons drawn by Kurt Westergaard were published in the Jyllands-Posten. These cartoons showed Muhammad in a black turban holding a bomb. Retaliation was immediate and there was an assassination attempt of Kurt Westergaard. The Danish government wants to prevent fatal conflicts. This is why the Danish Government takes such wary precautions when it comes to derogatory attacks, such as burning the Quran. Personally, I feel that John Salvesen’s prosecution was a valid verdict. Although religion is not a driving force in Denmark there is a point when ethnocentric actions cross the line. It is not uncommon in Denmark to make a comedy of religion. When it comes to burning a holy symbol in the circumstances of an attack against one’s religion and or beliefs, it is no longer considered comedy, but a blasphemous movement. In conclusion, I support the verdict of the Danish court and hope that this incident will serve as a lesson to others that even though you have the right to freedom of speech you are accountable for your actions and articulation. Comments on other class members blog post:
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Elisabeth DukesThis blog page is designed to address current events in today's society. These topics addressed are universal issues, innovations, discoveries, etc. This blog will also be a reflection source for the current independent books I am reading. |