Is free speech sacred? Salman Rushdie has published a new book, less than two years after an attacker tried to end his life.
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'Maybe my books saved my life' says writer
Is free speech sacred? Salman Rushdie has published a new book, less than two years after an attacker tried to end his life.
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In August 2022, Salman Rushdie was attacked in the USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. . He was stabbed 12 times - but he survived.
In 1989, the leader of IranA country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million. issued a ruling, or a fatwaA word used in Islam to describe any legal opinion. The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini calling for all Muslims to kill author Salman Rushdie in 1989 created a misconception in the West that a fatwa is a kind of death warrant., ordering Muslims around the world to kill Rushdie.
He was angry about Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses. Published in 1988, the book appears to mockMake fun of. some of the key beliefs of Muslims.
Rushdie decided to continue writing, even though he was in danger. Now he has written a non-fiction book about the attack, called Knife.
He continues to talk about free speech. "Terrorism must not terrorise us. Violence must not deter us," he says.
Is free speech sacred?
Yes! As a society, we cannot exist without freedom of speech. We need to be able to say how we feel even if others will not like it.
No! There is no point in writing books that will offend others just for the sake of offending them. It does not change anyone's mind and only divides people.
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Keywords
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Fatwa - A word used in Islam to describe any legal opinion. The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini calling for all Muslims to kill author Salman Rushdie in 1989 created a misconception in the West that a fatwa is a kind of death warrant.
Mock - Make fun of.
‘Maybe my books saved my life’ says writer
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie (above) is published by Jonathan Cape. Glossary
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Fatwa - A word used in Islam to describe any legal opinion. The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini calling for all Muslims to kill author Salman Rushdie in 1989 created a misconception in the West that a fatwa is a kind of death warrant.
Mock - Make fun of.