More on the Danish “children’s book” author

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

A commentor demanded, quite understandably, some links to substantiate my point in the last post on the cartoon affair ("Jyllands-Posten's acrobatics & Salon piece") that the author of this infamous "children's book" is a well known Muslim-basher rather than a harmless kiddy book author, as Jyllands-Posten keeps implying in its propaganda. The reason I did not provide more info initially is that there isn't much out there on this topic–it's surprising how the international media have not critically examined the... Read more

Akram’s Razor, debasing philosophical discourse on the Internet

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

In order to share an amusing anecdote, I’m going to have to admit doing something I suspect many of us do secretly late at night when no one is watching. I periodically Google myself. Yes, I do it and I do it regularly. I like to think it’s less ego than procrastination and idle curiosity–it is interesting to observe how information spreads on the Internet and what better case study is available than one’s own webpage–but I’ll leave that call... Read more

The cartoon riots compared to America’s race riots

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

A scholar explores how recent American history proves the wisdom (and ubiquity) of self-censorship in a healthy multi-cultural society. —————————–http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/opinion/17Wright.html?_r=1&oref=slogin February 17, 2006Op-Ed ContributorThe Silent TreatmentBy ROBERT WRIGHT THE American left and right don’t agree on much, but weeks of demonstrations and embassy burnings have pushed them toward convergence on one point: there is, if not a clash of civilizations, at least a very big gap between the "Western world" and the "Muslim world." When you get beyond this consensus... Read more

Jyllands-Posten’s acrobatics & Salon piece

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

Salon has a great piece, aptly entitled “Rotten judgment in the state of Denmark”, by an American-based Danish academic, Jytte Klausen. Here’s an excerpt: This all would have been very well if the paper had a long tradition of standing up for fearless artistic expression. But it so happens that three years ago, Jyllands-Posten refused to publish cartoons portraying Jesus, on the grounds that they would offend readers. […] […] The paper wanted to instigate trouble, just not the kind... Read more

Brass Crescent Awards

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

In a freak miscarriage of justice, Denmark’s recent travails…err, I mean…Akram’s Razor has won a Brass Crescent Award for the category of the blog "Most Deserving of Wider Recognition". Hey, I’m as surprised as you are. And, at the risk of being a ingrate, I’m a little ambivalent, as it makes me feel obligated to keep spewing propaganda and self-indulgent musings during the day rather than earning an honest living. My first thought was quite honestly, "Oh no, now... Read more

Pakistanis protesting against cartoons

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

The grisly show continues, as mobs in Pakistan swing into action to defend the Prophet by…vandalizing businesses in Peshawar. That’ll show those villains at Jyllands-Posten. I’m reminded a bit of race riots in this country, where rioters often shoot themselves in the foot by trashing shops and other scarce economic infrastructure in their own communities. The psychological reasons are complex, of course, but it’s still tragic. Moreover, with all its economic and political problems–not to mention the soaring influence of... Read more

Sufis vs. Shiahs in Iran

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

Police, Sufis clash in Iran Sufi Muslim spirituality is tolerated under mainly Shia Iran’s strict Islamic laws, although some senior religious figures occasionally call for a clampdown on its rites.Foreign plot Abbas Mohtaj, the governor-general of Qom, accused the dervishes of being part of a foreign plot, but he did not explain this.[…] The Sufis’ mystical path to God through dance and music does not go down well with some of the most senior... Read more

“Europe’s Contempt for Other Cultures Can’t be Sustained”

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

A stimulating analysis of the broader historical backdrop to these clashes, and how little right Europe has to be smug and sanctimonious in all this. Read the whole thing. [HT: Hikm] Europe’s Contempt for Other Cultures Can’t be Sustained: Europe has never had to worry too much about context or effect because for around 200 years it dominated and colonised most of the world. Such was Europe’s omnipotence that it never needed to take into account the sensibilities, beliefs and... Read more

Fred Halliday on blasphemy & power

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

A good article in openDemocracy.net. “Blasphemy and power” The theological and historical rhetoric of the cartoon dispute conceals its central message: the creation of a modern, unified field of world politics, says Fred Halliday. Read more

Wonderful online courses at SunniPath

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm By Svend White

The good folks at SunniPath have a bunch of exciting new online courses on Islam which will begin on February 25th. While I occasionally find myself in disagreement with them on some important matters (e.g., their view of Shiah Islam, their approach to gender issues), these are admittedly not simple questions and in any case I have nothing but praise for this innovative and important work. They’re offering a wide range of courses by traditionally trained scholars–some of whom... Read more