Salman Rushdie’s knighthood has some people bothered.
Ahmed Salman Rushdie, who spent almost ten years in hiding following a death fatwa by Iran’s spiritual leader after publication of his controversial book, The Satanic Verses, and widely thought of as a barely readable author, was awarded a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honours list on June 17th for services to literature, giving him the right to be called “Sir Salman Rushdie”.
Many protests have been heard around the world although in far-away Indonesia the news of Rushdie’s knighthood seems to have taken a little longer to filter through to Antara, and get them on the phone to various Muslim leaders seeking reactions.
Sir Salman Rushdie.
First, on 21st June, Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) chairman for Central Java, Ibnu Djarir, asked the government to seek an explanation from the British ambassador in Jakarta.
Britain has to understand the feelings of Muslims about “The Satanic Verses”.
People who insulted holy books did not deserve to be called “Sir”, he said. republika
Djarir’s senior in Jakarta, Amidhan, complained:
For a long time Muslims have been downtrodden, attacked, played off against each other, and now provoked. I don’t know what’s going on with this world.
Rushdie might be a fine writer, he said, but he used his gifts to insult prophet Muhammad. He set a bad precedent:
He gave courage to people in Switzerland, Holland, and Denmark to insult Islam, it’s really a shame that someone like him would get an award.
Amidhan hoped the British government would revoke the knighthood. antara
Tarmizi Taher of the Dewan Masjid Indonesia (DMI), Mosques’ Council, a former minister of religion, said the award was proof countries like Britain didn’t want to live on friendly terms with others and didn’t care about others’ feelings. He said however it wasn’t necessary to call the British ambassador for an explanation. antara
Hasyim Muzadi of the Nahdlatul Ulama, in perhaps one of his more paranoiac moments, said the knighthood was a planned insult to Islam, done “by design”, part of a wider plot against the Muslim world.
I can’t show you who is behind it, but it appears there is a deliberate conspiracy to make Islam look bad.
Islam had been insulted in many ways recently, whether the Quran, Muhammad, mosques, or other targets, and the Rushdie affair was just another example.
Hasyim Muzadi.
However he advised Muslims not to react in an emotional way.
We have to oppose the attack on Islam in the field of opinion, not with violence.
Muslims should strive to show the true, friendly and peaceful face of Islam, he said. antara
Can anyone explain how Salman Rushdie manage to get his hands on that pretty girl?
Dear Moslem Brother,
Why we moslem should bother with the England Knighthood, the knighthood in western view is equal to the criminal actors or the devilhood in our views. The most of the england knights committed the big crime against humanity. If you don’t believe you can check how many “Sir” or “the england knights” involved in slaughtering people in India, zimbabwe and other british colonies during period “British Coloniesm”
Regard,
Amungme Son
Cuk
I am also of the opinion that the west and Christianity have a lot to answer for in history and in out world…. and I know that there is a lot of islam bashing on this blog, and your comments ‘anti bule’ and ‘anti westerner’ and ‘anti Christian’ are in a way a balance to that and stimulate discussion. But don’t you think the way forward is to rectify past mistakes?
Sure we have to keep an objective mind and western countries are not champions of justice and right action, but I believe that most people make their governments accountable in this day and age. Bush has lost most of his popularity because of his war mongering…. this forces people to create a change in their government for the better and a move away from past mistakes.
Most of the issues you bring up are long in the past and people would mostly like to see progress to a fairer and non discriminative future, things still happen, but those things don’t go unnoticed and people move to change them for the better.
Islam however is often promoting a return to past ages that are full of violence and discrimination. A mediaval doctrine is all they’ve got to offer, hard to find a way forward and irrational to try to go back.
Is evolution of thought and behaviour crippled in Islam because of this? I think so. I think that a book written a thousand or more years ago that is held as an absolute doctrine makes it hard for people to cope with changes in the world.
Christians already found this out… .they used to think that whatever they did was justifiable in the name of “saving” the people they came across… aboriginals, native cultures all over… they destroyed them in the name of their religion. That was not something that translates into modern sensibilities. Do you want Islam to follow that path? It’s doing a pretty close job of it… destroy culture and religion in the name of “the true faith”. Or do you think it’s ok because Islam really is the true faith? Then you are not different from them!
One argument I often hear from Muslims is that there has been no other prophet since mohammed that has been able to proselytize a new religion on the same scale. Do you think this is proof that Islam is the one true great religion? OR maybe the world is just fed up…. Islam was the straw that broke the camels back. People are thinking, “that’s enough now, we can’t take anymore”
All the “believe this, believe that, wear this, think that, kill them, burn that, hate this, hate that…..” do you really think that’s the answer?
Hi Arema and Janma,
I feel sorry for you, the fact that you both have wasted your time to read and make comments to an ignorant person who unfortunately seems to have an intelligence of a 3-year old spoilt brat.
All I can suggest for you both is to ignore such comments, I agree with Janma, there were mistakes done by the Christians back there. They have realised this and have moved on, some people just don’t get it. They still prefer facing the past, walking backwards to the future.
What ever laaa…his wife is HOT!!
“True, friendly and peaceful”??
Who is insulting who, one might wonder. Within 24 hours after Rushdie had been knighted the fatwa issued in ’89, calling all Muslims to kill the author, had been renewed.
I guess it would be a good idea if all of those hotheaded believers took some courses on freedom of speech.
Dear Janma/Arema,
Hi hi hi from your comments I knew during your childhood your parents were feeding enough protrein for growth of your brain and now your brain is still well functioning even someone dumped sour words to you but some people weren’t lucky as you and people with lacked proteins during their childhood will have difficulty to control their emotion.
I agreed with you in some area of concern but I couldn’t see substantial move by the western government to restore a genuine partnership between us and them.
The very clear example is you know better than me what is the motives behind the knighthood given to our enemy.
Regard,
Amungme Son
I agree with opinions that hardcore Muslims only offered medieval doctrine that is no longer relevant anymore today.
I am a Catholic, baptized when I was a little. I always said that Bible is out of date and why should I follow Bible word by word written by nomads during cavemen age. Yet, I don’t see any Christian or Catholic groups decide to give “fatwa” to death to me.
I am not criticizing Islam here, I think Islam is a peaceful religion but religion tend to go downhill when mixed too close to politic. Christian realized this and as you can see all G8 countries have one similaritiy and that is a separation religion from politic. They move forward and reinvent themselves because they don’t have medieval doctrine tied into their politic system anymore.
What I’m trying to say is that Moslems need to move forward, united and reinvent themselves to compete in global economy and politic. Don’t move backward by adopting some syariah law written by Osama Bin Laden alike. I mean look at Afghanistan how backward their economy are. Have we not learn anything from there yet?
@ cukurungan: As a member of the vanguard of human civilization your advice to the western capitals is:
“Restore a genuine partnership” with guys ( f.i. in Teheran and Islamabad) who threaten to kill your fellow citizens, if these intellectuals dare to criticize some habits of a religion.
Is this ignorance, irony, cynicism or just plain arrogance?
Dear Colson,
That is exactly the bottom lines if they want to restore the genuine partnerships with us. They should respect to our beliefs and they should know what is the most sensitive issue according to our values.
If they ignore those matters, that is their call why we bother about their concern and why we have to trust the countries who already committed huge crimes
against humanity.
At this times, I couldn’t find any better comedies and jokes than what have been playing by the western civilization, they paid so high attention to fate the one people of our enemies but they ignored fate of millions indigenous people suffered by the civilization imposed by them.
Regard,
Amungme Son
Cukurungan: Just for the record: What is “the most sensitive issue” you are talking about?
(I assume you’ve read the novel (The Satanic Verses), so you know what you are talking about, don’t you?)
Why we moslem should bother with the England Knighthood, the knighthood in western view is equal to the criminal actors or the devilhood in our views.
Cukurungan I’m totally agree with you man!
Sir Alex Ferguson is the manager of Manchester United which is also known as..
..
..
“THE RED DEVIL“… AHA!! Coincidence.. I don’t think so!
You’re a total genius man!
Dimp Says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am
Can anyone explain how Salman Rushdie manage to get his hands on that pretty girl?
How about this: He is is brillant, witty, funny and highly intelligent. Guess what: Some women do like that! Besides he has a taste and style and – who knows – he might even be a gifted lover.
Arema Says:
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Salman Rushdie is far from qualified to deserve a knighthood, imho. I don’t understand why Queen Elizabeth II granted that.
Which of Rushdie’s books and essays did you read? Well, that’s what I thought. Besides, the knighthood is not only given to saints. Zimbabwe’s blodd-sucking dictator Mugabe got it, too. So what’s all the fuss about?
Could it have to do with the deeeeeply ingrained inferiority complex of Muslims today?
The Satanic Verses? haha such a funny book.
A brothel where prostitutes have the “prophet”‘s wives name, such a good marketing idea.
They should open one in Indonesia, I guarantee it would soon become the number one brothel of the country. Indonesian Muslims (or not) men first fantasy is making love with a (young if possible) girl wearing jilbab. Ask any prostitute she will tell you! So if she wears jilbab and says her name is Khadîjah, Saouda or Aïcha. wahhhh $$$$.
Poor Muslims who can get mad just because of a book. I cannot count porn movies with susters or pastors and it makes nobody angry.
Tanya kenapa.
Well, I agree that what the British Government is sickening. I mean, I’m supporting Iranian respon, but they have to be objective that this guy is just another great liar which made a book just to mock and insult Islam and all Muslims all around the world. What good things has he done to this world that make him qualified for such title? Maan, this is stupid. And I think the British Government should be ashamed of themselves.
Because of the very un-Muslim things you said about Muhammad [peace be upon him] how do you still call yourself a Muslim? In Quran Allah said that those who insult the Rusules will be punished by Allah himself. So far he’s made your face look like a filthy wild boar’s.
Bas:
Poor Muslims who can get mad just because of a book. I cannot count porn movies with susters or pastors and it makes nobody angry.
Cukurungan:
That is the different between moslem against the rest of world’s, our respect toward God and our prophet is a death price and not subject for negotiations and we won’t let anyone make our God and prophet become subject of their jokes without being punished and you know minimum our punishment is chopped off your hands.
Regard ,
Amungme Son
Omar Says:
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:08 am
In Quran Allah said that those who insult the Rusules will be punished by Allah himself. So far he’s made your face look like a filthy wild boar’s.
But hey, on the other hand Muhammad [peace be upon him] rewarded him with a true hottie. Compare that with what’s beside you and think.
Better Salman then Posh and Beck. They don’t do much apart from being good-looking, shallow, and spend enough money to feed sekampung in 10 minutes for shopping, and have ugly voice. At least Salman uses his brain. The more they make a fuss the more people get more curious about his books. God doesn’t need defending. He is omnipotent. Chill people.
@cukurungan: I won’t deny anyone the right to be offended. Some people by nature seem to like to be victimized. But you – and Tehran and Islamadad- seem to overdo. I would say this version of Islam is merely belligerent and aggresive. A showcase of machismo and threatening as well.
Still, I would like to know what you meant when you referred to “the most sensitive issue” Rushdie managed to touch. It is essential to know exactly what you are upset about to discuss the matter in a rational way.
Really, I can not believe that you want London to abolish freedom of speech, the parliamentary system, the royal family or to re-introduce capital punishment (in order to make it possible to behead the new Knight)- just like that, because you are suffering from a sudden tidal wave of adrenaline in accordance with everybody around you with similar emotions. And, I’m sorry to say, at the cost of common sense.
Jamma, Dimp and Arema:
What does Salman Rushdie knighthood have to do with Christian, but of course we have to drag it in.
Jamma: Christians “¦ .they used to think that whatever they did was justifiable in the name of “saving” the people they came across”¦ aboriginals, native cultures all over”¦ they destroyed them in the name of their religion.
Jlta: God’s commandments have not changed since 2000 years ago. Christians have the ‘Ten Commandments’ as a guideline for their daily action, anything done against the commandments will be in vain or condemned. Thus the words ‘whatever they did/do are justified’ is definitely your own fabrication. . So be specific, we don’t want to sound like an empty can. Christians are taught to love their neighbor.
Jesus sent His Apostles, saying heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive demons. You have received without paying, so you give without being paid. When you go to a house say ‘Peace be with you” If the people in that house welcome you, then let your greeting of peace remain; but if they do not welcome you, then take back your greeting. And if some home or town will not welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place and shake the dust off your feet.
There is nothing whatsoever about destroying, no? We are responsible people and so should be what we say.
Arema: Back to discussion, I agree that Christians have made big mistakes in the past, and even now.
Jlta: Whew, “and even now” strong accusation, please specify so that Christians can reply and perhaps open your eyes.
Arema: The Crusade, the “execution” of Galileo Galilei, and the sale of surat pengampunan dosa are three examples of the biggest mistakes that have been made by Christians. It all started when people start to add in something to the already-sufficient Bible. It was that time the Catholic leaders playing God and invented new rules after new rules, which led to chaos. Thanks to Martin Luther, they all have been slapped back to the right track.
Jlta: The Crusade? It is either you did not read my posting or just never learn. Do go and search in this blog by putting ‘Crusade’ then click on search. It was not without reasons. It does not mean I like wars and killing either, make no mistake.
Arema: We’re all imperfect humans and will never escape from making mistakes after mistakes. But what we can do is learn from those mistakes and try to avoid it in the future.
Jlta: Correct , but before advising others it has to start with us first. For instance in the following:
Arema: the “execution” of Galileo Galilei,
Jlta: That is why it is good to put the source then we know how you come up with such a blunder.
After a period with the friendly Ascanio Piccolomini (the Archbishop of Siena), Galileo was allowed to return to his villa at Arcetri near Florence, where he spent the remainder of his life under house arrest, going blind and dying from natural
causes on January 8, 1642
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
Arema: and the sale of surat pengampunan dosa
Sale of the ‘surat pengampunan dosa’ was not good; it was done within the church, since non-Catholics would not go to confession, right? Thus it was their own people, no harm done to others and definitely without Luther it would have been straighten out by others and perhaps in a better way, correcting it from within. The Catholic Church has many intelligent, famous religious leaders.
Arema: It all started when people start to add in something to the already-sufficient Bible. It was that time the Catholic leaders playing God and invented new rules after new rules, which led to chaos. Thanks to Martin Luther, they all have been slapped back to the right track.
Jlta: As we know, the Bible was translated by/in the Catholic church (the Bible you said was sufficient) Thus why should they add something into the Bible afterwards, whereas they could have done it from the start, Please, do specify. The Apostle John in Revelation warned:”if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to his punishment the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the prophetic words of this book. God will take away from him his share of the fruit of the tree of life “¦.etc.
Jlta: It could be you confused ‘religion’ with ‘custom or tradition’. Religion is from the Bible, custom/tradition could be taken from the past, the present adapting to people’s needs. Example the way people honor/ respect the King of Kings, to kneel, to fast before receiving the Eucharist, sprinkling the holy water etc. It is a beautiful Faith with one intelligent and Holy Leader.
Arema: Thanks to Martin Luther, they all have been slapped back to the right track.
Jlta: Some questions, are you a Christian?
If you are not a Christian then you have no problem.
If you are a Christian, there remain two questions:
Do you believe in what Jesus, your Lord said?
If you don’t then there is no problem.
Though if you do believe in Jesus. Why do you favor Martin Luther’s church, why do you think Luther knew better than Jesus?
Definitely Jesus could have sent His twelve apostles and said: “He, guys go out and each of you make a church of your own/” Make your own stipulations.
Sorry, to me, only hard hearted, Christians with lack of humility do not believe with full trust and full of faith what Jesus, their Lord said. If we want to be Christians why not go to the source instead of getting it from the branches.
Read with your heart and mind the following:
Matthew 16:18-19 And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven.
Thus, Luther wanted to correct the church which Jesus built, then Jim Smith wanted to correct the church Luther made, then Mr. John wanted to correct the church Mr. Smith made and this goes on and on thousands of them, some are even lost, they cannot agree on what they are teaching anymore and for this Arema you say “Thanks to Martin Luther, they all have been slapped back to the right track.” Though honestly, I am not surprised because Jesus also warned us about false teachers. So the blind is leading the blind.
I thank you all for giving me the opportunity/the idea to response. May it be beneficial to some.
Ironic that Rushdie gained a knighthood, considering that he shows major contempt to England. The guy is a major hypocrite.
I wondered how many people here who have actually read the Satanic Verses and condemned Mr. Rushdie and how many people who have neve actually read the Satanic Verses and condemned Mr. Rushdie because some Imam or so called holly man urged you to condemn him.
To those who have never read the book and condemned Mr. Rushdie, do you have any idea how dumb you are? You let some guy told you what to do, believe what to believe in as if you don’t have brain and can’t think for yourself.
I’ve read Rushdie work and find them passable. Nothing distinct or extra ordinary about it. He is a second rate authors who found celebrity due to Khomeni. If Khomeni didn’t say a word about Rushdie, he would merely pass on as another author.
Colson,
Anyone who make our God and prophet become subject of theirs jokes that’s enough to give us reason to kill you without waiting fatwa either from khomeini or saudi clerics.
We understand that western have so called the freedom of expression and speech but we also have free to kill anyone who crossing our red line.
If you want to talk about common sense, I glad to hear it from you what were reason of killing and slaughtering millions people across world’s by the civilized western and the reason British attacked a sovereign country without endorsement from UN.
Do you think those people killed by british because they were the real threat to the british or the western existence? No. Do you think those people killed by british because insulting british king or QUEEN? No. Those indigenous, India and Iraq people mostly killed by the british for the sake of the british amusement. Our common sense would say “If the western civilization was killing other people to satisfy theirs pleasure, so there is nothing wrong if we killed the people who dare to insult our belief”.
Regard,
AMUNGME SON
julita, I was talking more about Christians who abducted aboriginal children in the name of Christianity, they killed and poisoned many adult aboriginals in the name of this excercise.
Christians have destroyed many other native societies in the same way. that’s all, they did it. I won’t go into a point by point breakdown here, but it’s all through history so check it out. they burned thousands of women at the stake for god’s sake.
I personally like salman rushdies writings and I think if the queen wants to knight him in her own country that is her perogative and the Muslims can just bloody get over it… always carrying on about imagined slights. what their enemy must be everyones enemy? we must respect their smalll minded opinions although they kill and maim people who don’t agree with them?
cuk…. how can you be an intelligent human being and believe all that propoganda!?
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Conspiracy? Muslims themselves manage to do it successfully without any help from outside to make Islam look bad.