the rushdie affair

Submitted by raheel (United Kingdom), Jun 26, 2007 at 11:52

Dear Mr. Pipes,

i fear you have overblown the reaction to Rushdie's knighthood. Your report makes it sound like muslims have streamed onto the streets of the UK decrying the govts decision. In actuality, a few very small protests have been held outside a couple of mosques and govt buildings. This is their right.

However, the majority of muslims have greeted the news with a shrug of the shoulder and a growing realisation that the appointment was political in nature, calculated to be, in fact, a two-fingered gesture to islamic fundamentalists. Why not give a knighthood to a more deserving author like Ian McEwan?

As far as Pakistan is concerned, it has always had its share of hot heads; it's part of the national character, and before anyone calls me racist, i am a second generation immigrant whose parents are from Pakistan.

Also, i love Rushdie's work, having read all of it, including The Satanic Verses.

regards, Raheel

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