Esaz666

Do you think that the nighthood for Salman rushdie is a good idea?,
and dont use this an excuse for Islam bashing.

i think this is tit for tat over the taking hostage of our navy personal a bit back.

Vikingod

I'm pretty indifferent, IMO, it's up to the UK at who gets the honor.

I don't really understand why the Islamic folks are so up in arms (other than the the Satanic Verses portrayal of Muhammad). Seems sort of silly to hold Mr. Rushdie and England to the standards of their religion. And to call for his murder over it?

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Maddogg6

I read its because Rushdie spoke negatively of the (radical? I would presume) muslim movement - and they (some Iranian interviewed in an article I recently read) also claim 'he spoke harshly of Jesus' as well... ?? But I didn't read any quotes of these things directly.

I certainly dont know enough of this guy to say if he deserves such literary recognition - but as VG said - they can knight whom ever they like - but I would not doubt its a political/religious statement either.

The book he wrote already made him a target for muslims - so, they certainly could have known this backlash was inevitable.

Yousaif

That's the rub. They hold the entire world up to their religious standards. I am afraid that we will never get along... unless we all convert to Islam.

As for Mr. Rushdie. the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a Fatwa against him for the Satanic Verses writings. Making him a knight is just pissing in their faces.

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Yousaif


Isaiah 1:23

Vikingod

The issue they have is with his novel The Satanic Verses, which references what is an interpolation (of the same name) to the Quran. Rushdie's book contains a portion that sort of retells the life of the "Mohammad" character, which many Muslims found to be blasphemous. I can't remember the whole thing, I'm far from a scholar of the Quran, though I have read Rushdie's book. Im sure a quick google search will get you more than enough info.

Strange thing is, Rushdie appologized, and even was "reborn" to Islam, to the best of my knowledge. I still think there is a bounty on his head (several million bucks). Don't quote me though, keeping track of who everyone hates these days is futile.

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OmegaRED

If his body of work deserves the Knighthood than the Muslims should mind their own business. The thought of religious groups in a foreign country dictating the right to freedom of speech/press in the UK is contemptible to me. I'm glad that no one bowed down to pressure though I must say the media barely supported Rushdie's Knighthood and that's a little sickening (reporters should be the first to support him).

I saw an interview with him where he said it was lifted though with his Knighthood you never know he could be fair game.

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Esaz666

I rekon it would have been better to let sleeping dogs lie,
it seems pretty childish to me that our UK goverment has resorted
to using Salman rushdie in retaliation for our embarassment over the sailors being taken, the timing of this makes it pretty clear, its Tony having a dig before he leaves, (Iran issued the fatwa in the past).

What usefull purpose does it serve?,all this is doing is making life very difficult for mr. Rushdie, if i was him i would lie very low!, It also causes western people to be perceived as more anti-islamic as it is our goverment that represents our supposed views,Its just more fuel for the fire in conflict between us and the Middle east.

I have no problem with Salmans writing myself apart from its much wiser to not insult people, he's had a go at the christians also, thats a matter for his own conscience.
They would have been far better off trying to improve relations with Iran, i cant see any point or benifit.

I very much doubt it's anything to do with his literary excellence.

OmegaRED

I don't buy it that UK went to all that trouble just to slight Iran and other Islamic nations. It wouldn't surprise me if it had been planned before the Iran hostage taking happened.

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Vikingod

My understanding of Knighthood is that its in recognition of service to The Crown, not parliament or other governing body. Read: Tony Blair has nothing to do with it. My guess is it has more to do with his contributions, than sticking it in the ribs of the muslims.

I find the assumption that Mr Rushdie should lay low sort of odd. The guy wrote some fantastic novels, and the idea that he should be ashamed because they offended some people who can't any other view but their own, is rediculous. I thought that's what good literature was supposed to do, push the boundries and open doors for discussion and ideas, regardless that someone might find that "offensive", and get their panties in a bunch. In fact, my guess is you would be hard pressed to find a piece that is now concidered to be "great" that at one time didn't offend the conservatives.

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Esaz666

Well im just a bit cynical when i look at this move, especially if you look at others on the list for honours.

There's a russian who is hated by the russian establishment (who we also are on bad terms with at the moment), the choice was probably not of Tony blairs doing, but the foreign office was involved in the decision making process which smells a bit to me.

I would be lieing low because lots of muslims are not very pleased with him,
its just not very sensible choosing this person, Im 100% up for freedom of speech , but why honour him? , why create extra tension ,better to do something positive instead of making trouble for no real reason, it seems badly thought out but Ive got to admit i did find it amusing when i heard.

OmegaRED

Westerners should be completely unconcerned with how their books and press affects Islamic Nations. Extra tension? This is the religion that rioted over cartoons, you can't tip toe around that kind of fundamentalism. We have different values and freedoms than they do and that should be accepted rather than trying to please a completely different society.

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Maddogg6

Theres a part of me that agrees to this - and theres another part that fears the reality of radical islam - won't become more reasonable through these actions they find offensive. Just as people get offensive with the 'F-Bomb' on TV here - we all are forced to respect that at some level - so, to me its also a bit of hypocrisy to say 'I dont care about *their* hurt feelings' - even when their reasons seem completely foolish to us. Because the reality *is* - these people of islam do affect our collective lives in some way - like it or not.

Edit: - But I do dream of a world where one can voice an opinion - no matter how foolish and absurd it may sound - people take it for what is worth - another persons opinion that counts no less and no more than ones own.. In other words - I wish the world would just lighten up and stop being so childish; 'he called me a poo-poo pee-pee - whaaaaaa'

OmegaRED

I'm not suggesting Western countries antagonize Islam but we should be able to criticize Muslim Nations the same way we'd approach any other subject. Obviously we can't do it here out of fear of being censored or fired and if you did it in a Muslim country you'd be killed Islam>Democracy.

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SFOSOK

There is no such thing as free speech


As long as nations, religions, or anyone with power is allowed to persecute a person for their expressed opinions and beliefs there will never be free speech.

I agree with what most are saying about his knighthood. Its not Islam's choice and its up to those in the position to choose. This should be as much news as anyone else getting knighted.

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Vikingod

There are matters of respect, and there are matters of a group of people who believe in and the entire world should adhear to the exact standards and beliefs they do. When was the last time the catholic church put a bounty on a mans head because he writes/draws/sings about something that is against the bible.

Why should anyone have to ask permission from anyone else, when it involves a matter that is of no concern. The "i don't care" mentality can certainly apply in this situation. Historically, the crown is Christian if you wanted to split hairs, so why is it of their concern. Maybe these folks wouldn't feel so austricized all the time if they would just mind their own damn business.

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