The autobiography of the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai, has been banned by Pakistan’s private school association. No small matter given that Pakistan’s hugely popular independent schools teach half of its pupils.Today’s Independent on Sunday reports it saying that I am Malala would have a “negative” effect on its pupils due to the way it talks about Islam. I’ve read it – a great book, but scathing about jihadis. Specifically, jihadis who ban books. Here’s Malala:-
“My father’s college held a heated debate in a packed room. Many students argued that the book [The Satanic Verses] should be banned and burned and the fatwa upheld. My father also saw the book as offensive to Islam but believes strongly in freedom of speech. ‘First, let’s read the book and then why not respond with our own book,’ he suggested. He ended by asking in a thundering voice, ‘Is Islam such a weak religion that it cannot tolerate a book written against it? Not my Islam!’
The same question can now be asked of his daughter’s book. Is Islam such a weak religion that it cannot tolerate a book written against its corruption – by a 16-year-old Muslim girl? But’s not a reflection of Islam, but of the mutant strain of Islam which she excoriates in her book.
And why has I Am Malala been banned by the private schools that her father championed? It could well be a reflection not of their pusillanimity but of realpolitik. Her book details the abuse and hostility such schools already face. To stock such books may be a bigger risk that Pakistan’s private schools are willing to take. Full story...
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“My father’s college held a heated debate in a packed room. Many students argued that the book [The Satanic Verses] should be banned and burned and the fatwa upheld. My father also saw the book as offensive to Islam but believes strongly in freedom of speech. ‘First, let’s read the book and then why not respond with our own book,’ he suggested. He ended by asking in a thundering voice, ‘Is Islam such a weak religion that it cannot tolerate a book written against it? Not my Islam!’
The same question can now be asked of his daughter’s book. Is Islam such a weak religion that it cannot tolerate a book written against its corruption – by a 16-year-old Muslim girl? But’s not a reflection of Islam, but of the mutant strain of Islam which she excoriates in her book.
And why has I Am Malala been banned by the private schools that her father championed? It could well be a reflection not of their pusillanimity but of realpolitik. Her book details the abuse and hostility such schools already face. To stock such books may be a bigger risk that Pakistan’s private schools are willing to take. Full story...
Related posts:
- Malala Yousafzai amazing answer on The Daily Show ...
- Taliban to Malala: Stop smearing us...
- Why is the Arab/Muslim world so easily offended?
- Muslim guy on how to react when Islam and the Prophet are insulted...
- The problems facing Muslim nations...
- Why are Muslims so powerless?
- Islam needs a sexual revolution, says Turkish writer...
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