Sir Salman
As Ian McEwan says, “this sends a firm message to the book-burners and their appeasers.”
All we need now is for Sir Idiot Sacranie to reject his undeserved knighthood in protest, and our joy would be complete.
UPDATE: (17 June) The Iranian government has reacted predictably. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini:
Giving a medal to someone who is among the most detested figures in the Islamic community is… a blatant example of the anti-Islamism of senior British officials.
The measure that has taken place for paying tribute to this apostate and detested figure will definitely put British statesmen and officials at odds with Islamic societies, the emotions and sentiments of which have again been provoked.
nice to see Irans reaction to Sir Salman is so level headed and reasonable, as always.
Iran’s reaction here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6760927.stm
I read The Satanic Verses in the wake of the Motoons fiasco. Because I still could, I suppose. It was hard going but quite brilliant. The main problem is that the vast majority of the people commenting on it – pro or con – have never read it. Having actually read it, I suspect that the thing that really pissed off the Iranians was not the satire on Mohammed and the writing of the Koran, but the short and absolutely vicious parody of the Iranian revolution and of Khomeni himself. That sub-plot always seems to get overlooked.
Anyway, he’s a brilliant writer and the award is well deserved, IMO.
One small point:
“The current government of Iran”, please.
The great and proud Persian people do not deserve the collection of religious nutters and fascists who are destroying their country.
Good point, GT
great! about time – and who cares what the damn Ismalist militants think – we should not bend to their will ever- that would be the thin end!