These were not directed against Muslims, but against people in cultural life in Europe who are submitting themselves to self-censorship when dealing with Islam. |
This is a challenge. It means that what you do in a secular, modern democracy may offend people in some parts of the world, people not living in this type of society. I think it would be unfortunate if people in Saudi Arabia or some parts of the world influenced what we speak about in Denmark. [But] it's a fact of globalization, and we must consider it. |
We have a tradition of satire in Denmark. We do the same with the royal family, politicians, anyone. In a modern secular society, nobody can impose their religious taboos in the public domain. |
We would consider publishing them. |
We would run these cartoons the same day as they would publish them. |
When I visit a mosque, I show my respect by taking off my shoes. I follow the customs, just as I do in a church, synagogue or other holy place. But if a believer demands that I, as a nonbeliever, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect, but for my submission. And that is incompatible with secular democracy. |
When Muslims say you are not showing respect, I would say: You are not asking for my respect, you are asking for my submission. |