BECOMING THE SUBJECT OF RIDICULE

BECOMING THE SUBJECT OF RIDICULE shallow mindset of our leaders, lacking any basis in the teachings of Islam. Far from safeguarding the sanctity of Islam, this unfounded campaign has undeniably contributed to distorting the image of the religion. As an example, certain selfproclaimed Muslim leaders in Britain wrote a letter to the British government demanding the extension of this law’s scope to include Islam. In response, John Patten, the Minister of State in the British Home Office, sent them a letter published on the last page of ‘The Times of India’ on July 6, 1989, p. 10. PTI has sent this report from London. “In his reply to prominent British Muslim leaders, Mr. Patten stated that legal mechanisms were unsuitable for addressing faith and individual beliefs. He further noted that the Christian faith no longer relied on such mechanisms and recognized that the strength of one’s belief served as the best defence.” The words of the British Christian Home Secretary hold a deep satirical meaning for Muslims. They suggest that their religion, Christianity, is robust enough to deem such a law unnecessary, even though they have legislation against blasphemy. Conversely, his words imply that the state of Islam is such that the sanctity of the religion can only be protected when there is a law in place to guard it. Salman Rushdie is a British citizen and can only be prosecuted under British law, not under the laws of Iran or Pakistan. Offering a reward or making emotional appeals to