Print Media, Electronic Media

THE WISDOM OF AVOIDANCE Then, in 1989, Muslims initiated an incredibly irrational movement against Salman Rushdie—a movement that practically targeted the entire Western world, reigniting deep-seated animosity towards Islam throughout the West. Naturally, Muslims were unable to harm Salman Rushdie physically, but their senseless campaign that completely disregarded Islamic teachings ruined all opportunities for introducing Islam to people. Through their impulsive actions, Muslim leaders created an unfavourable environment for Islamic outreach programs. They placed significant obstacles in its path. Under the natural order of things, it is solely up to God to create favourable conditions for spreading Islam. The blunder committed by Muslim leaders is unquestionably unforgivable. Their offence is undoubtedly far more grave than Salman Rushdie’s. In their pursuit of justice for Salman Rushdie, Muslim leaders have committed a more serious criminal act. The first headline on the front page of the ‘The Times of India’ (March 9, 1989, Section 2) reads as follows: “’Verses’ Rekindle Islam-West Conflict.” The Reuters report highlights that the political and military rivalry between Islam and the West, which had endured for thirteen centuries and resulted in bitterness, prejudice, and misunderstanding between the two, has been revived by Salman Rushdie’s novel. Following the so-called Iranian revolution in 1979, Rushdie’s book has become the second major catalyst for conflict between Islam and the West.