WHY IDA AUKEN’S ANGER HURTS ME DEEPLY
A MUSLIM’S PERSPECTIVE ON RESPECT, RACISM, AND MISUNDERSTANDING
As a Muslim, this situation hit home for me. Recently, Danish politician Ida Auken became visibly upset when a Muslim man chose not to shake her hand but placed his hand on his heart instead—a gesture that, in my culture, is a sign of deep respect and honour, especially when greeting a woman. But to her, it felt like a snub.
This isn’t just about a missed handshake—it’s about clashing worlds, where misunderstanding breeds resentment and accusations of racism. As a Muslim, I know all too well how slight cultural differences can spiral into more significant issues. In the West, a handshake is often seen as a sign of respect and professionalism. However, in many Muslim cultures, avoiding physical contact between men and women is a matter of religious belief, not disrespect.
What hurts me is that instead of understanding or acknowledging this difference, it turned into anger. For Muslims, placing a hand on the heart is a way of saying, “I respect you deeply, but I have my boundaries.” It’s a gesture of honour, not insult.
We live in a world with many rich cultures and customs, and we need to learn from them rather than dismiss them. In India, people greet with “Namaste”, pressing their palms together. In Japan, bowing is the traditional greeting. In many Middle Eastern cultures, after a handshake, men place their hand on their heart—a symbol of sincerity. These differences aren’t reasons for anger but for learning and growing together.
This incident brings up a darker side of misunderstanding—one that can lead to something much more sinister, like hate and even genocide. It’s not just about one handshake; it’s about how ignorance can snowball into dangerous territory. History has shown us, again and again, how easy it is to slide from misunderstanding to hate speech, and we all know what follows when unchecked.
For those who want to understand more about how these small moments can turn into something darker, check out Why Is Berlingske Media Silent on Genocide? Let’s build bridges, not walls.
ARE WE BUILDING BRIDGES OR WALLS?
SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES AND GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS
NAVIGATING SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AMID GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS AS A DTU PRODUCTION ENGINEER
I WROTE A LETTER..
..to Socialdemokratiet, raising these concerns, and I’m waiting for their response. Once I receive it, I’ll be sharing it publicly here. Many people from my country are also wondering, how can Denmark be seen as a “happy country”, when so many are left questioning their place in society?
HOW DOES SOCIALDEMOKRATIET BALANCE BETWEEN IDA AUKEN’S VIEWS AND DENMARK’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD?
I was born in Løjt Kirkeby and grew up in Aabenraa, always seeing myself as Danish. However, after October 7, 2023, when lines were drawn so sharply—particularly with Ida Auken’s reaction to a handshake and Frederik Vad’s “third realization”—I no longer feel Danish. Instead, I identify more with my Pakistani heritage and as the son of a guest worker. These experiences and the way certain politicians handle cultural and religious differences have made me question where I truly belong.
What troubles me even more is how Ida Auken has used both my religion and personal boundaries as part of a public debate, painting a fear-driven picture of those who are different. Her narrow-minded approach, especially in discussions with Imams, has left me feeling both intimidated and cornered. It feels as though my beliefs and privacy are being held hostage in a conversation that’s meant to divide rather than bring people together.
FREEDOM, EQUALITY, AND COMMUNITY—FOR EVERYONE?
I find it hard to reconcile this behaviour with the core values Socialdemokratiet promotes—”Freedom, Equality, and Community”—as stated on their website. Do these values apply to everyone, or just to those considered “real Danes”? As someone who has spent their whole life in Denmark, it’s difficult to understand how politicians can preach inclusion while actively creating division.
Furthermore, Lars Løkke, who is also part of the SVM government, has spoken about bringing in workers from Africa to help fill gaps in the Danish workforce. How can we talk about integrating people from abroad when we struggle to accept and respect cultural differences here at home?
THE BIGGER QUESTION
So, my question is this: How does Socialdemokratiet balance the conflicting views within the party—like Ida Auken’s stance—while still promoting openness and inclusion? And how do we expect to maintain positive relationships with global partners when we seem to have difficulty embracing diversity in our own country?
I’m eager to understand how the party plans to address these challenges and ensure that Denmark remains a country where freedom, equality, and community truly apply to all.