The Times - Write Knight
Free speech is non-negotiable in an open society

The Muslim Council of Britain has commendably urged restraint on those it represents, but condemned Sir Salman’s knighthood as “yet another example of insensitivity to Muslim opinion”. In doing so it has wasted an opportunity to show its understanding of one of this country’s defining freedoms.

No kidding.

Lord Ahmed, Britain’s first Muslim peer, has accused Sir Salman of having “blood on his hands”. Stewart Jackson, the Conservative MP, has lamented the knighthood on the ground that it has offended Britain’s allies in the struggle against terrorism. That may be so, but when a British novelist can no longer accept an honour for fear of offence in Islamabad, that war is lost.

Date: Jun 22nd, 2007 · Comments RSS · Tags: Art and Literature