Literary comparison: The Mahabharata, by Jean Claude Carrire and Haroun and the Sea of Stories, by Salman Rushdie

2010-11-04T15:02:32Z

...

The Culture of Blasphemy Among Nonbelievers

2010-09-15T19:23:50Z

...

A New Definition of Apostasy and Heretics: Sociological Analysis

2010-10-14T11:45:00Z

Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.Ds

Linguistically, apostasy means: a defection or revolt, from former religion. It is a term generally employed to describe the formal abandonment or renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, as used sometimes by sociologists without the pejorative connotations of the word, the term refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to o...

Blasphemy and Apostasy in Islamic History - I

2010-10-14T11:43:22Z

Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.Ds

More than a millennium ago, a poet called Abul Alaa? al-Ma?arri described religious followers as follows:

Hanifs are stumbling, Christians all astray,

Jews wildering, Magins far in error?s way,

We mortals are composed of two great schools?

Enlightened knaves or else religious fools.

Salman Rushdie may be classified under the enlightened knaves school according to Abul Alaa`s verse. The poet, in fact, rej...

Salman Rushdie reflects on 20-year-old fatwa

2010-04-16T17:26:55Z

'Satanic Verses' author Salman Rushdie says fatwa issued 20 years ago remains an 'albatross'

Nearly 20 years after being driven underground by a religious decree, he is now Sir Salman Rushdie, properly famous and free, yet still burdened by his status as a symbol of persecution.

"This is the albatross around my neck," the novelist said Sunday night during a conversation with author-activist

Saudi conference seeks to give guidance on Islamic fatwas

2010-04-16T17:27:36Z

Muslim scholars from around the world gathered in Mecca on Saturday for a conference aimed at giving guidance on fatwas, the crucial Islamic legal rulings that guide the lives of hundreds of millions of Muslims.

The five-day Fatwa and its Regulation conference organised by the Muslim World League (MWL) was to address the crafting and issuing of fatwas in the modern age, w...

British Muslims burn St George's flag at anti-Rushdie rally

2010-10-13T22:03:38Z

...

Jack Straw: I can't read Rushdie

2010-10-13T22:00:58Z

...

Books Rushdie

2010-10-21T14:33:02Z

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2010 file photo, author Salman Rushdie attends the premiere of 'Nowhere Boy' at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

Britain Salman Rushdie

2010-10-08T13:37:30Z

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 26 file photo, award-winning author, Salman Rushdie poses for photographers in front of central London's High Court. Salman Rushdie, the prize-winning Indian-born writer, has in the past based novels on the politics of India and Pakistan. But ...

NYC Mosque Salman Rushdie

2010-09-13T11:45:47Z

FILE - This Tuesday Aug. 26, 2008 picture shows Sir Salman Rushdie in front of central London's High Court. "The Satanic Verses" author is not a great fan of organized worship but believes an Islamic center and mosque should be permitted two blocks from ground zero. Rushdie's satirical novel led in the 1980s to worldwide riots by Muslims and calls for his deat...

Rushdie Exhibit

2010-09-08T12:57:09Z

Novelist Salman Rushdie speaks during a tour of an exhibit of his papers at Emory University in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. Rushdie, who is in the middle of a five-year stint as a distinguished lecturer at the Atlanta university, has donated his perso...

Screening Of "Amelia" - Arrivals

2010-03-30T20:24:51Z

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: Author Salman Rushdie attends a sneak preview screening of "Amelia" at The Museum of Modern Art on October 21, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Imag...

The latest in Salman Rushdie