Taste of What’s to Come?

If you want to know what the social, cultural and racial trend is in Europe–and every country is different–look no further than Denmark.

No country adopted multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance with the enthusiasm and idealism of Denmark.

Some countries had little choice but to accept an influx of people with different and conflicting values and mores. When its African colonies gained independence, and when Algeria broke away after a bitter war, France became home to millions of displaced Arabs.

Portugal, Spain, and even Britain became the new home for many who felt they had to move from the land of their birth. Newcomers adjusted in varying degrees of harmony and resentment.

During the 1970s, no country was as welcoming as Denmark to newcomers. Danes had no obligation to encourage outsiders–but it did. Perhaps Denmark was influenced by its gallant record of standing up to the Nazi occupation in the Second World War–not with guns and bombs, but by its response to the order that all Jews be rounded up and sent to a concentration camp.

In defiance, an enterprising and heroic underground network spirited 7,200 of Jews out of Denmark, mostly on fishing vessels, to safety in Sweden, a national action that spoke volumes.

Subsequently, Denmark’s socialist government has tried to look after every citizen. Regarding immigrants, it sought to avoid mistakes of other countries, and ensure that newcomers could integrate and blend with Danes and feel comfortable.

Denmark’s crime rate was one of the lowest in Europe; its education system was excellent and available to all; its humanitarianism beyond repute. Denmark’s history of pillaging Vikings succumbed to generous welfare to immigrants, plus housing and other amenities that it hoped would set an example for the world in multicultural inclusiveness.

To a great degree it worked. But not with Muslims, who chose not to integrate, but to live in self-chosen ghettos where Danish liberalism and tolerance were seen as decadent and offensive.

This all came to a head in 2005 when an obscure magazine published 12 political cartoons featuring Mohammed. Months later, streets in parts or the world ran with blood, the cartoonists’ lives were threatened, Islamic outrage caused the rest of the world to shudder, cringe and apologize for allegedly showing disrespect to the Prophet. Denmark retreated.

The western media largely refused to publish the Danish cartoons–pretending to be motivated by principle rather than fear of Islamic reprisals.

Daniel Pipes is one who anticipated the Muslim collision in Denmark. In 2002 he noted that Muslims in Denmark comprise 4% of the population (5.5 million), but get 40% of available welfare payments. He also claimed the majority of convicted rapists are Muslim.

Pipes’ claims were later disputed by Danish parliamentarians, who say his numbers just don’t add up.

Muslims want Sharia law in Denmark. Forced marriages exist (promising newborn daughters to male cousins in the home country); Muslims who convert to Christianity are threatened with death; women are forced to cover their faces, fearing male vengeance, Pipes claims.

Anti-Israel marches turn into anti Jewish protests.

Like other European countries (Germany, France, Holland, Belgium) opposition is growing against multiculturalism–now seen as a failure.

Russia, China–even the U.S. and Canada–have growing unease about the militancy of Muslims, and are called bigots.

As Ezra Levant noted in a column, only in Canada would an appeal court judge rule that before a veiled women must show her face while testifying, she can ask for an order to clear the courtroom of males–including staff, opposition lawyers, even the judge himself.

Another triumph of multiculturalism? No, but it looks to be the future.