An open letter to the Muslim world

Please, grow up and mind your own business.

The UK wants to honor an accomplished author who, 18 years ago, wrote a book you didn't like. So you respond with threats of violence, promising bloodshed unless the queen rescinds Salman Rushdie's knighthood.

Where do you come off making demands? We look the other way (regrettably) while you subjugate women, hang homosexuals and stone apostates. Yet you're offended by a cartoon. If you want to live in the 14th Century, go ahead. Just don't expect it of us.

And let's watch the irony:

In Pakistan, where effigies of the Queen and 59-year-old Rushdie were burned, a minister appeared to justify suicide bombings as a response to the knighthood.

This is an occasion for the world's 1.5 billion Muslims to look at the seriousness of this decision," said Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq, Pakistan's religious affairs minister.

"The West is accusing Muslims of extremism and terrorism," he told his country's parliament.

"If someone exploded a bomb on his body he would be right to do so, unless the British government apologises and withdraws the 'sir' title."

So the West (unfairly?) accuses Muslims of extremism and terrorism -- and then you suggest someone strap a bomb to their body unless the Brits genuflect? Is that what passes for reason in Pakistan?

I'm tired of understanding the unconscionable. I'm told Islam is not a peaceful religion, but mounting evidence dictates otherwise. Extremists have taken control, and they show no signs of relenting.

(Already the Japanese language translator of "The Satanic Verses" has been stabbed to death. The Italian translator was seriously injured in a stabbing, while its Norwegian publisher survived an assassination attempt. All over a book. And the fatwa against Rushdie remains in place.) 

We make no apologies for choosing modernity. Most of us celebrate art, and our differences. We may protest, but we do so peacefully.

And, hopefully, we'll stand firm against would-be oppressors of free speech.

(To show your support for Sir Salman -- click here.)

Comments

[Some Other Mike]

Well, it worked for the cartoons, why wouldn't work for an award? :/

[M]

Oh the Muslims - internment camps anyone? Seems they are on a perilous path to such if they don't start taking care of their evil own. The moderates need to beat back the forces of evil who have over taken their religion. The silence of the moderates is deafening. Is it the fear of death or do they support the evil of the Islamic Fascists?