Extremist Tolerance

Amazing - thousands of misled and angry Muslims across the Arab world are reacting in the most lowly, uninformed, and violent way - against one of the most tolerant, open, forgiving and understanding societies on the globe.

This is not a case of Western misunderstanding. The Danish people - of all western civilizations - are one of the most tolerant and understanding cultures worldwide. Their society has aided in the comfort of refugees and immigrants worldwide to such a degree that a nation roughly 1/50th the population of the United States (about the size of Chicago) contributes development assistance amounting to 1/7th the amount of the US. Denmark in fact is the world's largest per capita donator of global development assistance - setting the global standard by exceeding the United Nations Global Development Assistance target by 40% (see chart of Development Assistance as a percent of Gross National Income 2001 on right).

At home they have a broad, sweeping social welfare system that they have opened to resident immigrants and refugees from all over the world. They have implemented programs to ease the difficulties in cultural immersion that come with mass immigration. Although relatively new to this Lutheran country, Islam is an officially recognized religion in Denmark with the right to perform religious rites and worship in accordance with the Koran. The open-minded Danish culture allows its people to gain incredible insight and understanding of the Arabic culture and sensitivities that is unheard of in most parts of the "melting pot" United States and Western Europe. They know, and understand, and feel for, Arabic culture. Indeed, Denmark and the other Scandinavian Countries have always been among the strongest supporters for a free Palestinian state.

There have traditionally been strong bonds between Denmark and the Middle East - especially Syria, which Americans are virtually prohibited from going. Throughout the years, the Danish Institute in Damascus has remained a strong institution due to the good relations between the two countries, and Denmark and the Middle East in general. Danes have always been able to - and enjoyed - traveling freely in predominantly Muslim countries, and Danish industrial enterprises have further ensured that the cross-cultural relations and mutual respect were maintained.

What a sickly feeling it is to see a nation of tolerance twisted and distorted by people who - either through lack of education and understanding, or through an odious world viewpoint - maintain a manipulative political agenda. How awful to think of the consequences this may have on Danish-Muslim relations long after the international sensationalism wears off.

In the US - ire most often begets ire. It is nearly an automatic defense mechanism that spirals an antagonistic situation out of control - thus my reaction to this situation. What you will find in the Danish reactions is curiosity, wonder, and hurt feelings. Danes are proud of their society's extreme tolerance and with good reason. It allows for the most extreme religious freedoms as well as the most extreme freedoms of speech and expression (Neo-Nazis, orthodox Muslim organizations, and extreme right-wing Christians are all allowed to publish and broadcast their viewpoints). It's a culture the world should strive for - and one that should never be criticized with such hateful furor.