I know you are, but what am I?
In a hilarious display of infantilism, a leading group of Pakistani Islamic “scholars” has awarded its highest honour to Osama bin Laden.
The Pakistani Ulema Council awarded the Sword of Allah to bin Laden as a reaction to Salman Rushdie’s knighthood. Council chairman Maulana Tahir Ashrafi told AFT:
We are pleased to award the title of Saifullah to Osama bin Laden after the British government’s decision to bestow the title of ‘Sir’ on blasphemer Rushdie. This is the highest title for a Muslim warrior
Will there be rioting and burning of bin Laden effigies in London as a result? Or will everyone be too busy laughing at this delightful display of childishness? Way to command respect, Pakistani imams!
Meanwhile, home secretary John Reid defends the honours committee decision:
…we have a right to express opinions and a tolerance of other people’s point of view, and we don’t apologise for that.”
Margaret Beckett, however, said sorry.
Obviously, we are sorry if there are people who have taken very much to heart this honour, which is after all for a lifelong body of literary work.
I’m soooo offended, I can’t stop laughing.
Sales and library stamps for The Satantic Verses go up around the country. You can’t buy publicity like this, the muppets.
I’d point out that it is deeply indicative of these “scholars” grasp on reality that, with all their holiness and moral righteousness, they can’t tell the difference between writing a book which some people thought was offensive and actually murdering thousands of people… if I could stop laughing at them.