Hello
Gentle Reader
In
nineteen-eighty eight, Salman Rushdie found himself embroiled in great
controversy over his newest and most controversial novel: “The Satanic Verses.”
Rushdie immediately found himself having to defend his depiction of the Islamic
prophet Muhammad (named Mahound in the novel). The novel was banned in thirteen
countries, who had a large demographic of Islamic believers within their
boarders’. Those countries were: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
South Africa, Thailand, Kenya, Venezuela, Tanzania, Singapore, Indonesia, and
Iran. Due to the protest taking place during this time, Rushdie wrote a column,
stating that his book was not anti-religious, and called Muhammad “one of the
great geniuses of world history,” but defended his depiction by stating the Islamic
prophet was human, and therefore open to human follies, and is not divinely
perfect. However on February 14th nineteen-eighty nine, Rushdie
found himself in the greatest controversy that would surround his career as a
writer. The then spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a “fatwa,”
against the writer, and soon after, Rushdie would be pushed into the
underground and into hiding over his novel “The Satanic Verses.”
The
death threat from Iran’s spiritual leader, and the fervor in which Muslims both
in Iran and outside of Iran, had taken the order, was frighteningly extreme. Copies
of “The Satanic Verses,” were burned, book shops were tortured, publishers and
translators were attacked, or seriously injured, and in some cases even killed,
over the publication and translation of the book. Criticism of the Iran and the
fatwa was immediate; while support for Salman Rushdie was swift and sincere.
Controversy
however would continue to burn with the publication of “The Satanic Verses,”
the bounty for Rushdie’s head was continually increased, and still exists to
this day; while Britain and Iran severed diplomatic relations over the
incident. However Ayatollah Khomeini not long after declaring the fatwa, and soon
Iran found itself having to diplomatically reposition its official statement in
regards to the death threat. Though the Iranian government does not outwardly support
the fatwa which has been issued, it also states that it cannot revoke the
fatwa, and only the issuer of it can do so. Ironically, seeing as Ayatollah
Khomeini is dead. However, Iranian news media has stated that the fatwa will
remain in place permanently; or at least under implications until it is
executed. Rushdie verifies this stating that every February 14th
Iranian officials send him a “valentine,” reminding him of their threat.
Controversy
however erupted in other places, surrounding the fatwa as well. The most well-known
controversy has been the internal strife within the Swedish Academy. The
Swedish Academy throughout the controversy had remained silent, and attempted
to retain neutrality in regards to political matters. This silence saw three members
of the Swedish Academy symbolically resign their posts and membership of the
Academy, and become passive members of the Academy. Those members are/were: Werner
Aspenström, Lars Gyllensten, and Kerstin Ekman.
Now
twenty-seven years later, the Swedish Academy has actively taken support for
Salman Rushdie in regards to the fatwa and his freedom of sight. Tomas Riad released
a statement for he Swedish Academy, outlying its disproval of the fatwa and the
reward money, stating:
“The
death sentence and the reward money are flagrant breaches of international law
and rules of civilised interaction within the world community and therefore can
in no way be compatible with normalisation.”
Tomas
Riad continues:
“The
fact that the death sentence has been passed as punishment for a work of
literature also implies a serious violation of free speech. The principle of
the independence of literature from political control is of fundamental
importance for civilisation and must be defended against attacks by avengers and
the adherents of censorship.”
Kerstin
Ekman relished the move stating to Swedish Public Radio:
“It
took a few years but here it is. I think it is very good,”
However
Ekman had also informed the radio program that she would stay a passive member
of the Academy, with her symbolic resignation.
Its
best to be late, then never. It’s a breath of fresh air, the Swedish Academy
takes a stand, against the behaviours being perpetrated against literature,
freedom of speech, and the written word, just because someone disagrees with what
is written. Good literature does not always offend, but great literature often
takes a stand against oppression, violence, and extreme thoughts of human or spiritual
thought, in order to provoke the mind into a new form or way of thinking. Bravo
to the Swedish Academy, and its safe state, that Salman Rushdie is equally
pleased by the support and defense given by the Academy, stating via twitter:
“I
would like to thank the Swedish Academy. I am extremely grateful for its
statement.”
Thank-you
to The Guardian & France24.com for informing me of the news.
Here is the Swedish Academy's Press Release.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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