One of the last things Abid Raja (V) did before he walked out the door from as Minister of Culture on Thursday was to answer about the recently deceased artist Lars Vilks, known for having drawn a controversial caricature of the Prophet Mohammed.
The written question was asked by Storting representative Erlend Wiborg (Frp): “What is the reason why the Minister of Culture has not spoken or condoled after the deaths of Kurt Westergaard and Lars Vilks? »
David and Andreas died in a Vilks crash
– Spreads myths and prejudices
– These are two people who have been at the forefront of the fight to defend our freedom of expression, which is the very foundation of our democracy, Wiborg tells Dagbladet.
Kurt Westergaard was a Danish cartoonist who is also known for his Mohammed caricature, and died of illness this summer, 83 years old.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: FRP’s Erlend Wiborg believes former Minister of Culture Abid Raja should offer condolences after Lars Vilk’s death. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
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Wolf died recently in a dramatic car accident, along with two civilian police officers who looked after him.
In his answer to Wiborg, published on the Storting’s website, accuses Raja Wiborg of being «suspicious», and plays «up to prejudices and myths». Wiborg flatly rejects the criticism, and believes Raja explains the case away.
– This is swearing from a politician who has plenty of time to take selfies or sell his own book, but to stand up and defend freedom of expression he does not take the time to, thunders Wiborg.
Promises the police “everything they need”
– Raja is most important to Raja
Raja believes the FRP politician, who has been a member of the Storting since 2013, plays his ethnic and religious background with his question.
“I wonder if Wiborg is not insinuating with this that I have challenges in commenting on the passing of Kurt Westergaard and Lars Vilks? I suspect that the representative of the Progress Party insinuates that my origin, ie the fact that I was born and raised in a Pakistani Muslim family, is of crucial importance. That my background and my faith make the matter difficult for me “, writes Raja.
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– Once again, Abid Raja tries to make everything about himself. For Abid Raja, Abid Raja is the most important thing. It is clear from the answer here, Wiborg counters to Dagbladet.
– I have not mentioned anything about his background or religion, I blow it. I care about the case, and expect him to do his job.
– Why is it so important that Raja condoles after Westergaard and Vilk’s death?
– When Abid Raja has the main responsibility for freedom of expression in the government, it should be a matter of course that he takes the time to comment on them when they first pass away.
No celebration
Sharp spike
Abid Raja’s official response as Minister of State has a razor-sharp and sarcastic sting. He points out that there are several Scandinavian cultural personalities he has not commented on at their death.
“Since the representative Wiborg points out Swedish Vilks, I allow myself to wonder why it did not impress the representative when I also did not condole the passing of the film legend Max von Sydow.”, It sounds from Raja.
– Abid Raja took the time to condole when Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away earlier, he takes the time to take a selfie with Tom Cruise, and write a book and sell it while he is a minister. I think that is a very strange priority, Wiborg answers to Dagbladet.
This will be Støre’s government
Defends freedom of speech
In his answer, Raja emphasizes that he is uncompromising in his defense of freedom of expression as a basic precondition for a democratic society.
In a text message to Dagbladet, he writes, again with a clear address to the FRP politician:
– I hope in the future we can spend the time building unity and community, and not try to create mistrust, and spread myths or promote prejudice.
– We know that there are forces in Norway that want to create mistrust between us who live here, and therefore the sullen message is clear: We have more in common than what divides !, Raja concludes.
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