Interview to a Danish School

- What was your point of view when you came to Denmark?

Being a Muslim, I thought it will be hard for me to live in an environment where the cartoons against Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) were published and there was a strong reaction in the Muslim World after these cartoons were published. I also knew that there were good and bad people every where and Denmark will not be an exception where you may find racist and friendly people. On a lighter note, Denmark has been known for its Vikings and Danish cookies. I also knew that it will be very cold country and coming from South Asia, it will not be easy to cope with the extreme cold weather. Denmark has also been known as one of the best welfare states and a rich country.

- When you came here, did you felt that people saw and treated you different?


The young people I met are festive and friendly. Many times because of the Danish language there have been problems where I am sitting with all Danes, it is important to realize them to talk in English, but I understand that it is natural and comfortable to speak in ones own language but to integrate non-Danish people, it is important to talk in English language. Of course I was considered as a foreigner and some one from outside of Denmark. Since I am coming from Pakistan initially people were reluctant about me because of the conflict going on at the border with Afghanistan and perception of terrorist and Taliban. However, everyone listened to my point of views, and slowly and gradually things improved as I was just one of their fellows. Still, I find that Danish students sit on one table for the meals and international students at another which is not good and something I found among the young people here in Denmark that they do not want to integrate more with foreign students.

The media is talking about a “clash of civilizations.” But that's not what I experience when I have discussions with young people in Denmark. Although there is a 180 degree difference in cultures of West and the East especially West and the Muslim world, however, what brings us together is that we all are human beings, we all believe in universal human values, peace and we all are part of global community. By crossing the borders of different countries, I have found that traveling is the best learning experience. It helps remove misunderstanding that unfortunately prevails today in our world. It enhances what we learn in the class room

- Have you ever been in a big conflict because of your descent?

Not a big conflict. However, I do not drink, something which is very common in Denmark, I was asked this question why I do not drink many times. In my religion drinking is prohibited and as Denmark is not a religious country, there have been times when people have not been able to understand it.

-Why do you think that some of the danish inhabitants' are seeing negative on people with good education who comes from the eastern part of the world?

There are of course some people in Denmark who thinks like that. Danish inhabitants should not see educated people who comes from the eastern part of the world negatively in fact they should be considered as an asset for the progress of the country, they are here not only to make their lives better, but actually to contribute in the Danish economy. They are intellectuals and good addition for Denmark and those who think negatively should be told about this fact.

- How do YOU think that we could change the danish peoples point of view on people from other parts of the world?

Ask them to interact more with the people from around the world in person where ever they get opportunity in Denmark and also meet them online. If we want a better world and more peaceful Denmark, it is important. However, the best way is to travel to global south so that they can find on ground realities and do not trust the media. Make young and old visit asylum centers, and ask them to volunteer for projects that promote interfaith harmony. Be more open to people from other parts of the world and if they are in Denmark, make them feel at home.

CB hosts journalists from Pakistan

Crossing Borders had the pleasure of hosting 19 journalists from different areas of Pakistan on the 5th of December at Krogerup College. Director Garba Diallo welcomed the Pakistani delegation of journalists and led a highly engaging, sometimes even intense discussion on the role of the media in intercultural dialogue and the role of journalists in promoting intercultural understanding and peace. Afterwards, CB ambassador Bilal Masood, himself from Pakistan, gave an inspiring speech you can watch at the link below:

http://vodpod.com/cbpakistan

Source: http://www.crossingborders.dk/page5.aspx?recordid5=47

Back in Pakistan

Having said goodbye to Denmark with all the wishes and flying overnight from Kastrup airport in Copenhagen to Karachi via Lahore, have alhamdulillah safely reached home sweet home after nearly a year:) The feeling is out of the world to touch the land of Pakistan, to meet my family, hear azan and experience scorching sun after a long long time! I am missing all my friends in Denmark and wish you all a great stay together for next three days! Here is the exclusive video of my stay in Denmark and arrival in Pakistan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2pS0M9CeKs

Address to Pakistani Journalists visiting Denmark

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peswHk6ekUo

Make a difference

"If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've never spent the night with a mosquito"-African proverb

Coverage in one more newspaper

Interview to Jyllands-Posten (English translation)

WHAT IS THE MEANING?

Bilal will build bridges

Twenty-four year old Bilal Masood, from Pakistan, came to Denmark with the intention of better understanding the country where the cartoons were printed.

MORTEN VESTEGRAAD

In the past few months, students attending high schools in Denmark were visited by a 24-year old youngster from Karachi, Pakistan. Bilal Masood came to Denmark in order to better understand the country where the cartoons were printed.

In Pakistan, he did his masters in public administration from the University of Karachi. He spends most of his time volunteering for democracy in his homeland. He also blogs, founded the network Crossing Borders Pakistan (https://crossingborderspakistan.wordpress.com) , and gathers information about Pakistani children's living conditions for UNICEF.

? What do you hope to accomplish with your stay in Denmark?

“I want to nurture understanding between young people of Denmark and Pakistan. The media focuses on what separates us and our cultures. Therefore you have to yourself meet people. We must talk about the things that unite us.”

In Denmark, Bilal is a student at Krogerup College international line, a stay which is sponsored by CL David Foundation and Sampling, which each year invites one youth from a Muslim country to Denmark. Bilal Masood was selected among 500 applicants. Currently, he is participating in a study tour in Denmark with the international team from Krogerup.

? How do you see Danes?

The young people I meet are festive and friendly. The media is talking about a “clash of civilizations.” But that's not what I experience when I have discussions with young people in Denmark.

There are things in your culture, which I must learn to accept. For example, I do not drink and I've learned that people in Denmark can easily take out both the Queen and Jesus.

Drawings hurt:

Bilal Masood explains that he himself was deeply affected when he heard about the Jyllands-Posten drawings of the Prophet Muhammad.

“It hurt me, and I think it was wrong to print them. But now it has happened, and both parties should try to learn from it. Those who decided to print them should have imagined in themselves what feelings would be stirred. Conversely, we on our side might not have reacted so violently. I'm sure that the Prophet Muhammad would have ignored the drawings.”

? Do you think that by sharing your knowledge we would see a more subdued response if the cartoons were printed again?

No, the reaction would be even stronger because it will be received as if one wants a confrontation. Therefore, we must talk together: we have to create a dialogue. That's why I have come to Denmark.

? Will it be a reasonable reaction?

It's hard to control people's emotions. We must have freedom of speech, but a responsibility follows with this and there are some things that should not be done. I hope that the West will understand this, and meanwhile we also need to understand it is not provocative to make these kinds of drawings in the West. Here it would be a very common thing.

Note: Original interview was published on page 2 of the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in the Danish language on 24-10-2011. Above is the translation of it in the English language.