Even in 2023, challenging Islam in the West can make you the target of terrorists

Salman Rushdie sounds the alarm on the ever-escalating danger to freedom of expression when it comes to Islam.

RAIR Foundation  Nine months have passed since the renowned author Salman Rushdie was subjected to a brutal stabbing by a Muslim while on stage during a lecture on freedom of expression. The Mumbai-born controversial author who faced Muslim death threats for years after writing “The Satanic Verses” in 1988, Rushdie was stabbed in the neck and torso several times by a Muslim while on stage at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, in August 2022. He was in hospital for six weeks, and as well as losing vision in one eye also lost the use of one hand.

Author @SalmanRushdie Attacked on Stage in New York#RationalThinkers #SalmanRushdie #SalmanRushdieAttacked #AuthorSalmanRushdie pic.twitter.com/9fyAfPQiL2

— Rational Thinkers (@RTorg_) August 12, 2022

Delivering a rare and impactful video message to the British Book Awards, where he was awarded the Freedom to Publish award, Rushdie issues a stark warning, asserting that the cherished freedom of expression in the Western world is teetering on the edge of grave danger.

As one of the most celebrated literary figures of our time, Rushdie’s personal ordeal casts a piercing light on the immense challenges faced by those who dare to question Islam and kindle the flames of critical thinking. The harrowing jihad attack against him serves as a chilling reminder, emphasizing the inherent risks undertaken by individuals who exercise their right to express their beliefs and challenge the tenets of Islam.

For those who do not remember, Rushdie’s fourth novel, “The Satanic Verses,” thrust him into the center of a global controversy. The book’s content, considered blasphemous by the Muslim world, led to Ayatollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa in 1989, calling for Rushdie’s death and the killing of those involved in the publication, triggered a wave of violent reactions by Muslims worldwide. Publishers and bookstores faced bomb threats and attacks, while translators and publishers were targeted and even killed. In addition, the book was banned in several countries, including India, Bangladesh, Sudan, South Africa, and others.

The global response to Rushdie’s most recent ordeal exposed a disheartening reality—the silence and lack of support from publishers, politicians, and diplomats who failed to speak out against the threats and violence. The fear of backlash or accusations of Islamophobia has allowed for the stifling of critical discourse and the erosion of free speech rights. The Red/Green Axis, the strategic alliance between the left and Islamic supremacists, has further complicated the matter, as both groups aim to suppress dissent and promote their ideological agendas.

The attack on Rushdie and the subsequent response from Islamic organizations and governments highlight a more significant issue—the concerted effort to criminalize speech deemed critical of Islam. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), supported by influential countries and aided by the United Nations, seeks to implement global blasphemy laws that silence any criticism of the Islamic religion.