[TLBSHOW]

ping

[DannyTN]

"The freedom to express yourself is the raison d'etre of Islam," he said."

"raison d'etre" means "reason to be"

Is this guy kidding? Who doesn't know that Chistians are forbidden to share their faith in Islamic countries? Who doesn't know that if a Muslim converts to another religion it's the death penalty?

Either I'm caught up in a massive misconception about Islam, or this guy doesn't even know or more likely doesn't speak the truth about his own faith. And I believe it's the latter.

Actions speak louder than words.

[Ga Rob]

"He demonizes and denigrates and marginalizes the world of Islam".....No sir Islamists do a pretty good job of that all by themselves!!

[MarineDad]

Nonetheless, Al-Islam agreed with Khankan's harsh criticism of Rushdie for The Satanic Verses.
"He demonizes and denigrates and marginalizes the world of Islam," Al-Islam said.

That might very well be, but it pales in comparison with the splendid job Islamics are doing around the world to bring about the same results.

[swarthyguy]

Are they still hung up on the Satanic Verses? Not a bad book, but not great.

And these mealy mouthed weaselly pronunciations of tolerance belie the fact that most of these panelists would still want to see Salman dead, and would relish cutting the guy's throat.

[dennisw]

"Reading [the book] was really a traumatic experience for any Muslim,"

Who gives a flip except you ignorant psychos?

[TADSLOS]

"I would like for them to forgive him," he said, noting that forgiveness is a central principle in Islam. "I think [Rushdie has] learned something from that experience--I hope he has."

Liars. The only thing Rushdie has learned from the experience is how to find good safehouses to survive in.

[Tacis]

Wait until they find out about Rushdie's next book which includes pictures of Mohammed, naked, with his teenage wife and then with one of the household donkeys. He also includes those whispered stories about the Prophet's use of alcohol and consumption of pork. You know, the usual stuff that everyone knows is true but that has been surpressed by the Mullahs.

[Cyber Liberty]

Hey, what's to debate? The guy's got a big fat Fatwa on his head, so any discussion is purely academic.

He's still to be shot on sight.

[denydenydeny]

Indexing.

[CaptRon]

Expressing concern over Rushdie's representations of Islam, the panelists issued a call for greater religious tolerance and understanding.

Given what your co-religionists have done over the years, especially 9/11, I'd say that this country has been overwhelmingly tolerant, and I personally resent any implication that we haven't been. In most of the countries in which Islam is the dominant religion you'd be dead or out on your ear.

He said that he had initially supported the fatwah condemning Rushdie, but later changed his mind and hoped that the Iranian government would do the same.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, isn't that sweet. He doesn't wanna kiww him anymooooooooooooooooooooore.

Listen, bucko, a few years ago their was a film made about Jesus that didn't exactly thrill many of the Christian faith, but try as I might I can't seem to remember any Church officials calling for anyone's head. Literally.