All the rage - victim of US bloggers' cartoon hits back ('Islamic Rage Boy')

Guardian (UK) ^ | July 23, 2007 | Riazat Butt

[2ndDivisionVet]

With his clenched fists, wild eyes and gnashing teeth he has become the face of Muslim fury, protesting against the enemies of Islam. Shakeel Ahmad Bhat has been on the frontline of political activism in Srinagar, India, for more than a decade. His constant presence, captured by photographers and beamed across the world, has caught the imagination of rightwing bloggers who have dubbed him Islamic Rage Boy and turned him into an internet phenomenon.

Typing his nickname into a search engine yields more than 75,000 results. He has inspired a cartoon character and merchandise.

But the 30-year-old Kashmiri activist is puzzled, not angered, by his overseas fame. In his first interview with a British newspaper, he says he is carrying out Allah's wishes.

From his home in Fateh Kadal, Malik Angan, he says: "I am not happy with people joking about me or making me into a cartoon, but I have more important things to think about. My protests are for those Muslims who cannot go out onto the streets to cry out against injustice. This is my duty and I believe Allah has decided this for me."

Mr Bhat, a school dropout and former militant with a pro-Pakistan rebel group, has been arrested more than 300 times.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[ken5050]

Thanks for the ping...BTW..is it time for us to worry yet?

[unspun]

I may have to put that on my profile page!

[FlashBack]

THANKS!!

[potlatch]

Feel free to use it. Get a TinyPic.com url and put it on your page!

[Checkers]

Riazat Butt?!

That’s the writer’s name?!

[ct_libertarian]

ct_libertarian sez:

[ct_libertarian]

ct_libertarian sez: