Comments on: Shaming Literature – ‘Sir’ Salman Rushdie

By: sajhashmi

sajhashmi — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:00:17 +0000

This is an interesting discussion and observation and whereas a Thinker or Writer has right to opined whatever he thought or observed on the other hand u gave opportunity to the readers and viewers to offer their comments likely in favour or against the ……I want to repeat here Jean Paul Satre whom I studied in my mother tongue as trnaslated :If we adopted writing and claimed ourself an author [pen men]we must be responsible to the literature not to a single person either reader,critic or someonelse!
Kindly accept my feelings Mr Shoaib Tanvir

By: Gohar Sadaf

Gohar Sadaf — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:07:55 +0000

I totally agree with cubano.

By: cubano

cubano — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:13:57 +0000

I have read ‘Shame’ and ‘Midnight’s Children’ and I think they are the best novels that I have ever come across. Both of the books are truly masterpieces and I have yet to find a book that is of the same caliber as Midnight’s Children. Unlike Rushdie, not many authors have ever effectively used magic realism in their works. I have read parts of Satanic Verses and didn’t care much for it. It’s not considered to be his best work but thanks to Muslims it ironically became the cause of his fame. Rushdie has used this fame in his Islamophobic (if thatâ€™s what you would like to call it) cause but once again Muslims are also largely responsible for making Rushdie who he is.

I don’t know if he should have been granted a knighthood but he surely deserves praise. Every one has a right to an opinion whether it insults someoneâ€™ religion or not. Thereâ€™s nothing wrong with criticizing Rushdieâ€™s literature or beliefs or opinions but calling for his death and threats of terrorism is idiotic. The governments of Pakistan and Iran are calling on Britain to revoke the honor which is truly laughable. Britain should claim that they have been insulted by members of Pakistani government issuing death threats against a British citizen.

The real issue is that Muslims have to learn to not be so easily offended and threaten others with death over â€˜Blasphemyâ€™. Can someone even define Blasphemy? Muslims can be accused to â€˜Blasphemyâ€™ against other religions. Muslims certainly don’t hesitate to criticize and offend others so why are they always up in arms when others are offensive to their beliefs. Get over it! Itâ€™s just a fictional novel. The Christians and Jews donâ€™t cry murder if someone â€˜insultsâ€™ their Gods or prophets.

By: kinkminos

kinkminos — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:19:14 +0000

I think this whole affair is a bit of a storm in a teacup. After all, the man was only knighted. That is an internal “honour” of a former world superpower. We are not bound to refer to him as “Sir” or “Knight Commander of the Bathwater” or “Commander Bondi 007″.

Those of us Packies who do not think his writings justify accolades for him should NOT vote to award him a Pakistani prize. Those of us who do think he is deserving SHOULD vote.

We Packies, still suffering so debilitatingly from our (for want of a better phrase) post-colonial hangover, obsess about Inglish thingz and Inglish pipplez and Inglish happeningz. I doubt we would have reacted so vociferously if the man had received the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, or the Mexican Aztec Eagle, or the Norwegian Kings Medal of Merit (gold or silver).

Angrez hamari falan falan mar ke chalay gaye, but we still revere them for some inexplicable reason. Phittay munh hum sub ka.

By: IMeMy

IMeMy — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:16:18 +0000

There are so many issues that are being brought up here which says a lot for this posting! Is Rushdie a good writer? Should Rushdie have been knighted? Is Art accountable to social and political norms? What is the role of an artist/writer? Each of these questions could kindle an extensive debate. As for Mr. Rushdie, of whom I’m not much of a fan, he’s idden on this wave of Islamophobia for a while and it’s time he came up with something that can stand up on its own without the crutches of pro or anti Islam rhetoric!

By: Faisal

Faisal — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 14:25:58 +0000

No one is arguing against freedom to critique Rushdie’s work, intentions or the honours he is given. There is an argument however, for not threatning him with death just because we don’t like what he says. He has written some bad books (SV could be among them) but he has also written some great ones (Midnight’s Children definitely), and the measure of a writing legend is by how many good books they write (even one) and not how many bad ones. It pains me to defend Rushdie- I don’t like him, even though I can’t argue with his writing talent- but our overblown response 19 years later to a provocative book most of us have not read only reveals our own insecurities. One look at how the honors list is drawn up in the UK will reveal there was no deep seated conspiracy to denigrate Islam. Any country with such a well respected writing talent would bestow them with an honour. Lets not take it personally.

By: Quinge.com » â€˜Sirâ€™ Salman Rushdie, Up Yours!!!

Quinge.com » â€˜Sirâ€™ Salman Rushdie, Up Yours!!! — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:32:24 +0000

[...] Pakistani Blog community is abuzz with commentary on the issue as well and you can read them at Jahan Rumi, Cyril Almeida, Not the Whole Truth & Ali [...]

By: stanvir

stanvir — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:33:20 +0000

Most proponents of freedom of expression are idiots. They will foam at mouth and shout from rooftops in support of bottom feeders like Rushdie while denigrating those voicing their feelings against him.

Just as Rushdie should have the freedom to write, other people have the similar right to voice their opinion, be it in the form of a book, an article, a procession on the street or loud cries of anger and hatred.

I am so sick of the pseudo-intellectuals and desi liberals.

By: Mohib

Mohib — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:38:07 +0000

And while you are at it, what about Sir Muhammad Iqbal, the great poet-philosopher of Islam, accepting the same knighthood? Hell, his country was under imperialist British rule at that time.

By: Sir Salman Rushdie, Up Yours!!! » Teeth Maestro

Sir Salman Rushdie, Up Yours!!! » Teeth Maestro — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:58:27 +0000

[...] Pakistani Blog community is abuzz with commentary on the issue as well and you can read them at Jahan Rumi, Cyril Almeida, Not the Whole Truth & Ali [...]

By: RR

RR — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:07:26 +0000

Thanks to all the readers for leaving their comments.
Skeptic: thanks
Thinker101: your comment is the sanest take on this issue.
Mayank: I respect your views but trust me I am not the only one who though SV was bad – a vast majority of reviewers thought it was nothing compared to his earlier works
Irum: thanks for visiting and the comment. Yes we have not appropriately reacted and allowed the silly extreme fringe to take over the protest.
Ayesha and Gohar: wish we could give him a break – had he not been such a bootlicker. Gohar you are right that ‘our’ protests are provide further reinforcement to the stereotypes..
what to do??

By: Gohar Sadaf

Gohar Sadaf — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:11:50 +0000

I agree with Ayesha here that It is his right and his prerogative to voice his opinions as it is ours. The fact that the entire muslim world has been so intolerant of satanic verses to the extent of issuing a death fatwa- has over the years provided stimulus to the West to portray islam as a violent and an intolerant religion. if we just left things alone, seconding Ayesha here, gave Rushdie a break, both the West and Rushdie might not be left with any theme, impetus or stimulus to direct jabs at Islam. It is a fact that muslims are not well versed with the sense of strategy. Its a shame that Rushdie was bestowed with knighthood but the lack of vision and strategy within the muslim world is equally shameful.

By: Ayesha Salman

Ayesha Salman — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:34:35 +0000

Please can we give the man a break! Granted his work has steadily deteriorated in my opinion too, over the last few years, but let us not foget the jewels he has given us in the past- like Midnight’s Children, Shame..etc. Our memories are short, and its easy to forget .. Be it a drop in the ocean, his earlier work was still briliant and to write like that even once, even one good line,a thought, a well formed idea requires great insight and great wisdom.
It is his right and his prerogative to voice his opinions as it is yours. But let us not forget that he has lived in fear of his life for many many years, something most of us are not exposed to in our lifetimes.
Also Raza, I just wanted to thank you for this feast, this wonderful website- every time I look at I learn more and I truly feel so much more creative myself. It is encouraging for all who value and appreciate the different forms of art and artistic expression. Please keep at it, you are doing a fantastic job! I look forward to what’s next.
Ayesha

By: Irum Ahsan

Irum Ahsan — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:40:06 +0000

As usual a thought provoking and timely piece of writing. Being impressed with Rushdiâ€™s writings, I moved heaven and earth to find Satanic Verses but after reading a few chapters, I realized that how low he has fallen to gather admiration from the world that was ready to tarnish Islam in every possible way. I am not astonished or upset with the West to bestow this title on him but upset with the fact that the man didnâ€™t even have to work hard for it.

I wish he had continued his legacy of Moorâ€™s Last Sigh but then there is a lot to be desired. Perhaps you accurately identified best use of his intellectual skills i.e. adding depth to Fox News or CNN (I laughed my head off after reading it in TFT). I feel extremely sad to see the direction this world is taking. We all are individually responsible for our lack of appropriate responseâ€¦ Hence I plead guiltyâ€¦

By: Mayank Austen Soofi

Mayank Austen Soofi — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:17:36 +0000

It is true that Rushdie’s last truly good book was “The Moor’s Last Sigh”. But we haven’t seend the end of him as a writer. We have to understand that an artist can’t come out with one great work after another. (Even Toni Morrison hasn’t written anything sizzling after “Beloved”!) As for “The Satanic Verses”, I would have to disagree with you. While I could see why it offended many Muslims (who actually cared to read it), I have to say it was very well written. By the way Rushdie’s attitude towards Islam should not be taken as some personal grudge against that religion. If you carefully examine his other works, it appears he had a suspicious attitude towards other religions too. (Hindus could have easily been ‘offended’ by certain passages in Midnight’s Children).

I believe Rushdie, Sir or not, is a great writer. To be a great, one classic is enough for a lifetime. Rushdie has more to his credit.