Salman versus Islam??

Not long ago was the theme “Clash of Civilizations”, put forward by Samuel Huntington, booed by people across the world through a widespread survey. But the recent honour of Salman Rushdie, by British queen, with knighthood and the tumult of protests that followed in some Muslim countries has cast a need for re-look at the theme again. Is it really a clash of civilizations? Many perceived it so. Iran and Pakistan denounced it as an insult to the 1.5 Billion Muslim population across the world. Leave alone the street protests. Even the Pakistan parliament and provincial assembly saw it as part of campaign by Europe and west to hurt the feeling of Muslims.

It is his book “The Satanic Verses” published way back in 1988 and the Fatwa against him that still keeps him as an apostate. And the honour of Mr.Rushdie by British government is just another Islamaphobic act. May be the protests and furore over this issue is another sign of Islamic fundamentalism. But the men who had taken to the streets must realize that Salman Rushdie was not honored for his “Satanic verses” but for his illustrious contribution to the literary world with a work of nine fictions and four non-fictions. And the writing on the wall is clear to the creative workers too. Book authors and publishers should be part of the solutions than be part of the problem itself.