The Satanic Verses, what's the big deal?

[icehorse]

Almost 30 years ago novelist Salman Rushdie wrote a book called "The Satanic Verses". The publication of this book "caused" Muslims around the world to riot, murder people, burn bookstores, and in 1989 the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran issued a fatwa ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie.

I'm finally getting around to reading this "controversial" novel.

OMG! WTFrak?

Admittedly, I'm only about halfway through, but this book is a comedy. It's a romp. It's clearly a fictional flight of fancy.

Can anyone explain why Muslims would react so violently to a comedic novel? Can violent reactions be justified?

 

[Quintessence]

Some thoughts to consider:

• The disposition of some folks is to take things seriously by default. That is to say, it would not be interpreted as a joke or a comedy.
• Different folks have different senses of humor. Some, arguably, lack a sense of humor entirely.
• Words have power. Stories contain tremendous power. Whether intended humorously or not, this is not to be taken lightly.
• It is not uncommon for humor to be used as a cover for hatred and prejudice. Jokes made at the expense of someone else are not, in the view of some, funny.
• It is also not uncommon for humor (or storytelling in general) to be used to push an agenda. If said agenda clashes with one's values, a negative response is quite understandable.
• It is probably better to frame the question as why would people react in the fashion that they do.

 

[Pastek]

The majority of muslims don't care about this man. I was young when i heard about this and i guess many almost forget him. If i ask my familly they probably haven't even heard of him for the most, the other don't care.

And majority of muslims are sunnis so don't care about that fatwa.

 

[Limo]

It was a showy propaganda act from Shiiti Alkhumany to look like the defender of Islam.

There are hundreds of books in west since 7th centuries full of sarcasm and distorted image of Islam.

 

[Notanumber]

Almost 30 years ago novelist Salman Rushdie wrote a book called "The Satanic Verses". The publication of this book "caused" Muslims around the world to riot, murder people, burn bookstores, and in 1989 the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran issued a fatwa ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie.

I'm finally getting around to reading this "controversial" novel.

OMG! WTFrak?

Admittedly, I'm only about halfway through, but this book is a comedy. It's a romp. It's clearly a fictional flight of fancy.

Can anyone explain why Muslims would react so violently to a comedic novel? Can violent reactions be justified?

Can you understand it?

I have heard that it is difficult to follow.

I wonder what percentage of those that reacted violently had a clue what they were reacting against.

Similarly, I wonder what percentage of Islamists read and understand the Quran and how many of those are allowed to question it.

 

[David1967]

Can violent reactions be justified?

No.