Agora

This is a transcript of an interview with Naser Khader in the programme ‘Søndag’ from DR’s TV-Avisen, 21:15 April 2nd 2006. A link to the online programme is provided so you should be able to follow the conversation by looking at the transcript.
Link to programme.

Natasja Crone: Good evening and welcome, Naser Khader.

Naser Khader: Good evening.

Natasja Crone: What happened the first time you heard about this clip where Akkari made the remarks we are about to see?

Naser Khader: I would like to emphasise this: I didn’t have a nervous breakdown. I didn’t go into hiding. But I needed a time-out. And that’s not so much because of what the ridiculous Akkari says that’s the problem. It was what came before. I was contacted by the French journalist who produced the programme who told me that this group, they hate me with a vengeance, that my name is mentioned every five minutes, that they’re conducting a massive smear campaign against me, not only in Denmark, but also in the Islamic world.

Natsja Crone: So he just called you up?

Naser Khader: Yes, and then he told me, before the programme was aired. But also the build-up to the airing of the programme, the day before, the media almost went on berserk. That made my family very worried, so I needed to withdraw, take a time-out and consider my situation.
(more…)

The party we in Denmark call “De Radikale”, I refer to in this article as the Social Liberals, because that is the international equivalent. But it’s important to note that this party is also known to have a love affair with Classic Liberalism, apart from their fling with Socialism. “De Radikale” means “The Radicals” in the literal translation and they’ve been at the forefront of the fight against religious dogmas and ignorance since their conception. Unfortunately, they’ve usually also been at the forefront of the “stabbing Denmark in the back” crowd. Perhaps Naser Khader will give them some hair to go with their balls. Who knows…

This article appeared in Berlingske Tidende on Sunday, April 2nd, 2006. It’s a long interview with Naser Khader where he ouitlines his thoughts on the Danish Imams and their extremist organisations and how to counter them as a democratic Moslem.

“We are Facing an Incognizable Enemy from Within”
By Jesper Larsen

Much of Naser Khader’s time is currently spent in his office where newspapers are cluttered about and books line the walls from floor to ceiling. The literature is diverse - everything from the Koran and other holy books to Anne Vibeke-Holst and that sort of thing.

[Note: Anne Vibeke-Holst is a paperback writer. Mushy stuff.]

His bodyguards from the Police Intelligence Service are constantly within reach and follow him 24 hours a day. Recently an advertising distributor who was confused and semi-suspiciously going to and fro on the sidewalk, carrying ads for a new pizza place felt this. He was detained immediately.

“My family felt it. My wife Bente said that I sometimes repeated myself and talked nonsense. I am constantly tense. When we’re out of the house, I am almost paranoid and just want to get back home. But I know I have protection and that does make me feel safer. The thing is though, that I feel I am wearing manacles.”
(more…)

This is a transcript of three consecutive segments from DR’s TV-Avisen, Saturday 18:30 April 1st 2006, reporting on the Democratic Moslems’ annual general meeting. Links to the online clips are provided, so you should be able to follow what they say in the clips by reading the transcript simultaneously.
(more…)

This is a feature article from Politiken which appeared this Saturday. The evening of that day, the Democratic Moslems organisation held their general annual meeting, which created quite a stir in Denmark. I will be posting some more articles about this subject. So far it seems that Naser Khader has managed to pull off a spectacular public relations coup for moderate, democratically minded Moslems in Denmark and I must say that I am pleased. If only he were a moderate Liberal instead of a right-wing Social Liberal…

Related posts:
A Prize Immigrant
Danish Imam Abu Laban knew about planned Martyr operation
Danish Imam Ahmed Akkari: Kill Naser Khader
Ahmed Akkari: Latest News

Danish Moslems: Arise and Protest

Feature article from Politiken, April 1st, 2006
By Ibrahim Ramadan

My religion is threatened in this country.

Not because I am a part of a Moslem minority in a Christian country. Not for lack of Mosques. And not by the Danish People’s Party and their stereotypical depiction of Moslems.

My religion is threatened by people who claim to belong to the same faith as I do. Threatened by organisations such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir and by people such as Ahmed Akkari, Abu Laban and Raed Hlayhel who all claim to work to spread the word of God. In reality, they’re working towards another goal entirely - to control what other Moslems should believe, think and do.

Some Moslems in Denmark have accepted the Danish Imams’ words and take strong exception to Naser Khader. They think he has sold out the Arab cultural heritage and that he’s shed Moslem values to become accepted by the Danes.

But what few Moslems in Denmark understand is that Naser Khader more than any other works to ensure that we qua Moslems are seen as assets and aren’t looked down upon as a problem in Denmark.
(more…)