Controversial or Disrespectful?

In my opinion, there are two types of controversial statements; one which offends a societal ideal and one which is downright disrespectful. I shamefully enjoy the first type of controversy; it's really interesting to see different ideology being challenged, particularly on a creative platform - my favourite being dramatic arts. But just reading up on Salman Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses' was enough to make me cringe audibly.

Basically in 1988 author Salman Rushdie (I prefer not to refer to him by his newly acquired 'Knight' status) published this book and, though it is classified under the genre of 'magical realism' in fiction, it contains clear, controversial elements directly linked to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), His life, His family and the Origins of the Holy Qur'aan. Rushdie is clearly well-read, but to use his talent and knowledge for blaspheme is petty and disrespectful. Perhaps he doesn't like Islam or its teachings, and that's okay. That's his opinion. But to intentionally include incorrect and offensive information about something that is important to someone else; where is the respect in that? How does he expect anyone to respect his work if he disrespects others?

At the time of publication, there was (naturally) a huge uproar in the Muslim world about the book. First it was band in several countries, which is acceptable. But a year later, the Iranian government released a Fatwa which ordered the execution of Rushdie and his publishers. As much as I dislike this man and his blaspheme, I really do think that this Fatwa is the worst thing that could have happened. Yes, the book is a clear crime against Islam, but to retaliate with violence doesn't exactly help to improve the image of our religion. The media has a wonderful talent of highlighting the extremist behaviour of people who call Islam their religion and occurrences like these only create a negative image. I understand the anger and frustration over the book and its content, but there was unnecessary loss of life that resulted from the Fatwa.

I came across this quote when I was reading up on the Rushdie Affair:

“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.” - Salman Rushdie

If expression simply means 'to offend', then you need to rethink your ideas, Mr. Rushdie. Literature and expression is about so much more that about being controversial and offensive. When I was in high school, one of my English teachers raved about Rushdie's work, but I'd remembered my mother telling me about a book he had written which insulted the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and so I mentally cast him aside. Perhaps he is a fantastic writer and deserves those awards he has received for his works, but I cannot possibly enjoy the acclaimed literary merit of his writing when he has published such an atrocity.

Untouched Pages

So the sad truth of my holiday; excessive stress, unsurprising procrastination and a whole. stack. of. untouched. books. And, of course, today I unashamedly added another book to that stack. This one was well-worth it though. As soon as I'm done with Ms Austen's Sense and Sensibility, I'll be attacking this one.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. I mean J. K. Rowling. I would love to go into excruciating detail about the big reveal that my favourite author published a book under a pseudonym, but in light of keeping with my birthday "No Procrastinating" resolution, I want to keep this post short. You can read about it at MuggleNet. My wonderful friend managed to get me one of the last copies of the First Edition of this book - i.e.: the book has no traces of J. K. Rowling in it.

Pray I get over the initial booksniffing stage, then perhaps I'll get down to the reading.

Roadworthy

I was just reading a blog post about a stressed out matriculant who will be writing trials in under a month and thought back to my trials period and realized my stress levels were nothing then compared to how I felt when I took my drivers test a week and a half ago. Whilst America was enjoying their Independence Day, I spent most of my morning feeling nauseous and hysterical, clutching onto every shred of faith and Divine Intervention I could get before doing my drivers test.

Now, let me explain why the stress levels over 9000. In South Africa, we have this wonderful method of getting your license through the payment of bribes. The bribe generally 'sees to it' that your inspector will overlook any minor or slight mistakes you make when doing your test - basically they'll overlook anything that isn't apparently an automatic fail. 

According to my instructor, if you do not pay the bribe, you are guaranteed to fail. And for two weeks prior to my test, I was continuously subjected to this mantra, purely because I refused to pay the bribe. Firstly, it's unethical and, call me old-fashioned or (sarcastically) 'holy', but I do not believe that there is an Barkat or Blessing in anything that's done unIslamically. And paying a bribe is pretty unholy to me. Secondly, I couldn't afford to pay the bribe - paying for my driving lessons myself was wearing out my bank account. So the mantra was the main reason behind my ridiculously high stress levels that morning. 

So I go into the test, with the feeling that I was about to vomit and I make the wonderful rookie mistake of mixing up the indicators and the wipers for my pre-trip inspection. And my groundwork. And on the road.

Luckily that was the only mistake I made and, by some Miracle of God, I passed my drivers test. My reaction to my pass: Shock to Disbelief to Numbness to Relief to BURSTING INTO TEARS IN FRONT OF THE INSPECTOR to Disbelief (at this point, I had my temporary license in my hand). [Fast Foward to the next afternoon] OMG MOM I CAN DRIVE ON THE ROAD LEGALLY.

Of course my mother still wont let me use her car, but that's okay. My faith that integrity does get you  somewhere has been restored and to all those instructors who pester your learners into paying the bribe: take that. It is possible to get your drivers license in an honest fashion in South Africa.

Oh, and to the matrics who are preparing for trials - good luck! I know it currently seems like the end of the world if you don't get all A's, but you'll be laughing at yourself next year when you write your first university exams, I promise.