'It's the books that matter, not the knives': Salman Rushdie | The Conversation | BBC News India
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2023
- Sir Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born British-American author, spoke to Newshour's Razia Iqbal in an exclusive interview nearly a year after he was stabbed in New York. In this conversation, Sir Rushdie opens up about life after the attack and talks about the power of books.
The Booker Prize winning author suffered years of Islamist death threats after writing his fourth novel The Satanic Verses.
This interview first aired on BBC’s Newshour programme on the World Service.
Thumbnail image: Getty
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It is shame for any man to attack an elder man because you disagree with his view, once savge always. Long life to Rushdi !
Yes. A big shame. In Arabic such act of violence is called غدر and it's forbidden in Islam.
Religion of PEACE 😂
@@wahidurrahman8993 Yes it is the religion of peace.
The quran should be burned by everyone.
@@Vagabond-yu2gk likewise all religion pretend to be peace, I observed closely, how they're.
Admire the courage of Salman Rushdie. To live for twenty years without any security talks volumes about it.
I was, like so many of us, horrified to witness Salman Rushdie being attacked in the way he was and now delighted to see that he has made a recovery. A giant in the literary world and to one who I send my grateful thanks, his work has followed and captivated me for years.
Why is that people can joke about any religion on earth, except for Islam?
Even ChatGPT, when ask to write a joke about Muhammad, won’t do it.
because islam is in a very unique position where its both opressed and an opressor. Its powerful enough in the east that they can forcefully silence criticism about it without many noticing while in the west where many live in poverty(which is something that has too be fixed too ofcourse since i belief no one should deserve poverty. but i am not knowledgable on socio-economics so i wont comment on it) they can use that low status too cry wolf and shout "racism, islamophobia, opression, etc" whenever the contents of their favorite historical fiction novel are criticised. All the while many altough not a majority but somewhere between 10% - 40% depending on the country will clap in glee when they hear of the silencing of fags/apostates/critics/etc.
Cuz Jihadist are ready to have 72 Angels waiting for them🥲
May piss be upon him
@@user-te6bh6lr9y the jews have been hated for way longer then the muslims so by that logic its actually the Jewish that are correct
@@user-te6bh6lr9ywhat truth? That religion is poison?
The things that modern medicine can do are so impressive.
Of course, the strength of the individual is a huge factor.
Well done on everything,Sir.
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Yes
For those who are unaware, many of Rushdie’s books and short stories fall under the heading of fantasy or alternate histories. As a person whose reading tastes lean toward sf and fantasy but very rarely toward “high brow fiction”, I was very pleasantly surprised at how imaginative and engaging Rushdie’s fantasy works are. I recommend him very highly! 👍🏻😊❤️
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@@bbcnewsindiayou people don't know what he truly said all those years ago do you.
@@jovannacarranza1881western standards they support
@@jovannacarranza1881 what he said bro , I also wanna know, please tell me
@@bbcnewsindia You didnt mention islamism or islamic supremacy or anything about islam. Nice taqyiya and hypocrisy. If a hindu guy did it the same BBC would go like "hindu RSS bla bla bla knife attack" LOL
What humbling interview. This man is incredible.
A brave writer, and a true hero!
Hiding like a coward and disrespecting people is being a hero and a great writer.
@@jovannacarranza1881
Well, what else do you expect? His life is in danger because people from some particular religion just don't like their religion questioned.
@@Akira-dm3tj ask yourself why was his life in danger? Was it because he offended people because he felt like it.
@@Akira-dm3tj Habibi people like Salman Rushdie don't care about you or anyone else they just like to cause trouble. He's a narcissistic, hypocrite, racist man and people like you are supporting him because you're either like him or you're just so arrogant.
@@Akira-dm3tj in Islam Allah says don't disrespect people don't go out of your way to hurt them because we're all created to be equal. That's how Islam spread by teaching others to love and respect.
Hahaha bloody brilliant "people have lost their lives as a response to words you wrote." "People lost their lives as a response to a terrorist fascist attack" - Classic Rushdie
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He seems like such a nice and eloquent man.
Why doesn’t this have millions of views?
Same question!
A lot of people have given up on the bbc they can see it for what it has become & don't like it
Writing is dead.
This is why we have to stop making cultural excuses for fanaticism. We have to fight religious extremism in all its manifestations
Like it's not one specific religion that's causing extremists violence in the modern times.
I don't see many Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus or Jains committing acts of violence in the name of their faith.
Yes, true, but Salman Rashidi is one of them
@@ibrahimanan1874no. YOU are one of them
Rushdie is not a religious person as he said in this interview. We all have the right to have Freedom FROM religion. Leave him alone. People have other views and beliefs than yours alone.@@ibrahimanan1874
One way is to stop provoking and pointing to people’s religion-like this idiot did.
What a brave man. Razia is a wonderful interviewer.
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Talk about sacrificing yourself for your art. First a fatwa and now attempted murder. Rushdie is a true literary hero.
Yep, a superstitious mandate to murder a writer in a foreign country is a bit mad when you think about it. Backward even,
I mean, the attempted murder was because of the Fatwa.
This is my hero. He single handedly outed the 'peaceful' dogma like no other.
A true writer, and a brave hero!!!
He is so brave to challenge world's most dangerous cult . ⚔️🗡️🔥
A big salute to Salman Rushdie for his strengths, holistic look at the world, wry sense of humour, zest for life and the great equanimity he shows about dealing with dangerous experiences in life that he has endured.
The fact that SSR’s very presence infuriates hundreds of millions of braindead troglodytes worldwide makes him even more precious. SSR is a treasure and a gem 💖💖💖
You are right in a way, the prophet told us to ignore the ignorant ones who slander and tell them "peace"
So we should do that in fact, after all, this decrepid man will burn in hell if he doesn't repend for the slanders and mocking he did which he had no right to make, but we live in a sick society which allows this stuff with no repercussions.
I won't insult anyone because i fear God, but i could slander apparently a lot of people and lie and whatnot and call it "fiction" and i would be fine...
Anyways, you enjoy conflict and ugliness, but i don't.
Nah i will hear some recitation to purify myself from this xD.
I have this custom of answering comments from the time of ignorance before reverting to islam, so i must learn and follow the wisdom.
Sadly many people don't read the Quran by themselves, so they only know what we do as an example.
Honestly, believe what you want my brother/sister in humanity.
I liked stuff i don't like anymore, and we can't idolize novel writers and justify their bad stuff just because we like what they write...
Hitler has some cool architectonic paintings, is he a poor angel now?
Similarely SSR literally has the face of a weird person who does nasty things in private islands...
But perhaps he's good writing novels.
I don't know, do what you want.
Peace
Be quiet fool
horrible, horrible what happened to him. for writing a book he was threatened for years and years. until they finally got him. and I admire his strength to his craft and keeps on going.
You are really really the true hero of ours Salman Sir ! You shall win the world the way you are progressing now ! You do have the guts and capacity for it all. GOD bless you !....
salman is in no rush to die, excellent interview!
Thank you Hadi Matar. You prompted me to read one of the finest book ever written.
It is shocking that a book that has so much love for people can generate such hatred.
How can someone hate this gentleman, sensitive, Compassionate man?
People with personality disorders who believe in a socially endorsed mythology that can't handle satire and think they are entitled to be violent in the name of their socially endorsed mythology perpetuate terror.
so relieved to see he is still here to enlighten us...
So very grateful to have Salman Rushdie still with us and may he long thrive. Dante would have designed a whole new level of the underworld for the perpetrators of such crimes as were committed against Rushdie, a level of the underworld where he can be forgotten. Great interview.
Do you even know the stuff he writes? He's an islamophobe
I think Mr Rushdie has been and remains very brave. I get the feeling he didn't know quite how adored he was until he saw how much support he was getting after the attack. He has given readers much joy through his work (myself included) over the decades and I personally love his "this has happened, now let's deal with it" attitude. I wish him the very best and hope that the psychopath who attacked him goes away for a very, very long time.
Very, very brave: superhuman…and ever modest and humble…God bless the Man!
@@CromwelldunbarHe doesn't believe in God
@@Cromwelldunbardo you mean Salman Rushdie for the vile, pathetic excuse of a man who stabbed Salman?
@@javedbutt6222anyone with half a brain doesn’t believe in “God” 🙄
@@javedbutt6222 So what?? Why does it bother you, kid
Satanic Verses and Midnight children are my favourite books by Mr. Rushdie. What's maddening is how total ignorance gives rise to prejuidice, and provoks subsequent criminal actions toward a fiction in true sense!!
What a great personality ❤
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This man is Evil
@@nejlababali7901 why? Isis, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Taliban, Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are evil. Salman Rushdie isn’t.
@@nejlababali7901Evil? In what way, mate?
The Religion of Peace - the gift that keeps on giving.
A donkey’s shit has more value than the Religion of Peace.
Sincere and professional discussion, many thanks!
Thank you for this interview, this is just him, resilient, always the best, forever the optimist, one of the greatest writers of our time.
So, so lovely to see Her and Him. Two brilliant people derived from South Asia. Except for the Scientists, these are the people who I love nd value above everything else. Thanks BBC India. He is sure to win the Nobel Prize somedae.
Religion poisons everything: Christopher Hitchens 🇮🇪
Hello. Glad he survived and recovered.
Actually, such act of violence is called in Arabic غدر and it's forbidden in Islam.
@@justamuslim2628Rushdie is considered an enemy of Islam and an enemy of Allah, no?
@@brotherben4357 Of course not. Rushdi is a human being created by Allah. All humans have the right to live and learn from their mistakes.
@@justamuslim2628 Oh. Are there no enemies of Islam or Allah?
@@brotherben4357 Allah is God. God has no enemies because he created all creatures. He's the almighty and most powerful. There are for sure enemies of humanity. Whether Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Athiests it doesn't matter.
Salman is just a story writer. He's neither an enemy of Allah nor humanity. His book is boring btw.
We need more books thank you
I love him just so so much
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Lucky to watch Rushdie talking about his joy about receiving younger reader's book review。wish you all the best Sir！
When I see him my faith in freedom of expression is strengthened, thank you Sir.
A real intellectual
The interview was a gem.Folks can learn how to coduct a civilised interview without being too prying or sensational.
More power to you Salman Rushdie sir 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼
Let’s not avoid the glaringly obvious incompatibility of a particular religion in the civilised world.
Let's not ignore the fact that you're grouping all Muslims under the category of extremists and using 'civilized' as a dog whistle to seek out other people with your prejudice.
@@dylanmcdermott1110what if Muhammad was a scammer
@@harlaneric7963 I think religious prophets in general are scammers. I don't think very highly of Islam, Christianity or Judaism.
Saying disrespectful things about the holy prophet who lives in the hearts of 1.5 billion Muslims is not free speech. It is a deliberate provocation which is totally unnecessary and evil.
All religions are incompatible in present world. It has to be relegated to museum
Bless Salman Rushdie, what a man of conviction, staying true to himself despite constant threat to his life.
18:44 i wish these words were engraved in the mind of every human being, live long Rushdi and keep your fight on
thank God you recovered. ❤
He's an atheist and an enemy of God. But I don't Condon violence for anyone. It's up to the ruler of a land to punish someone. Not an individual. He'll get his true punishment in the afterlife.
@@juggernaut6141if he was true enemy of god the true god would wipe him out second
@@juggernaut6141he only thought with the islam god who is the devil
@@juggernaut6141 baaaaaahahahahahaaaaa silly boy.
@@juggernaut6141 still believe in that crap? Primary school must have been really tough for you.
Long Live Rushdie Sir 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🧡
Salman is an idea .. idea never dies
Good to see him... I am really feeling bad for him.... He doesn't deserve this...
Still got his sense of humor.
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Salman Rushdie, what a man! Blessings to him! 🙏🏿
Respect and love, from iran.
4:48 "it's not going to be a long book... only a couple hundred pages" now that's a writer for you
Salman Rushdie is a hero for humanity ❤
Sir , I want to express myself in my mother tongue as I feel comfort . Midnight Children এখনো দেখা আমার অন্যতম এক সিনেমা ❤
I love you Salman!❤
She trivialises the enormity of what he has done and the consequences he has suffered. It’s all laughter and smiles
Great literally gem.i love you.
I haven't read Rushdie, but I really want to. I've heard him read from The Satanic Verses and it's hilarious. I absolutely applaud this man's efforts to stand up for free speech and to keep satire alive.
.. you welcome Salman Rashidi only because he confirms your inherited hatred for Islam, as if you are saying to yourselves: Look, he is not us.. he is a Muslim and he speaks about Islam the way we feel.. Do you think you are deceiving us?
@@ibrahimanan1874Your comment is very confusing, mate. Do you think that people think Rushdie is a Muslim?
@@brotherben4357
Why don't they think so since it is so? Are they just stupid?
@@ibrahimanan1874always the victim
Thank goodness Salman Rushdie did not die in that atrocious attack on August 12th of last year!
My thoughts and prayers were with Salman on August 12th 2022 (and through the following months of his recovery). It’s heartening to know that so many good people all over the world were also sending wishes of goodwill and love during this terrible time.
I was pleased to hear that Salman has been writing about what has happened to him-not from my selfish perspective of wanting to read his thoughts (that I’m sure will be a harrowing read for many as well as myself); but because the creative act must surely help him come to terms with this atrocity and aid his healing.
It’s wonderful to see Salman looking relaxed and happy (and able to joke about various aspects of his life (and the world we collectively share)). People all over the world will draw comfort from that.
I purchased a first edition copy of Haroun and the Sea of Stories after being impressed by Salman’s Late Show interview at the time of publication. (I’ve been thinking about using Magic Realism within my own fiction. This wonderful book has been calling me to read it again.)
A little poem dedicated to the writer of Haroun and the Sea of Stories:
Drawn by your treasured mind
Sirened by your printed voice
Coiled around me is an illusion of choice
Because I’m a hapless sailor
And you’re of that roaring sea
Singing like waves over my sinking whaler
And drowning me in your mystery
straight talking...best wishes to him.
Imagine being so butthurt that somebody you dont know wrote a book that's critical of your faith that you actually seethe with enough hatred to physically attack that person? These extremists are sick. If there are bombs going off in your homeland that are killing women and children, thats a legitimate gripe. I can understand the motivation there for taking some sort of retribution, no matter how misguided. But over a book? Its just pathetic, really.
The book isn't "critical of (that) faith". This is a common misunderstanding.
Salman Rushdie is such an educated, exquisite man. He did not deserve to be violated by some deranged godless terrorist! I totally admire Mr. Rushdie for his artistry as a top notch writer who is an inspiration to us all for his courage to never give up!
What an amazing man. My deep respect and admiration.
Amazing to hear 1:00-1:42 releasing what he thought was just another novel when really he opened the floodgates to war which would alter his entire life. "It was a big fight, but a good one to have" 😎👍
So look at u now sir. All i can say is be safe.
As a therapist, I can imagine what it would be like to be Salman Rushdie's therapist..!
That certainly would be interesting. But he is very much someone whose fortitude and perseverance I admire - and wish I had.
A brave writer ❤❤
No one can take your mind away from you !
May God bless you always in all your deeds especially ✍️ writing
Great to see him doing so well.
Full of hope and life
Sorry Rushdie, it is you and not your books or that you were attacked that is the reason I have respected and liked you for decades. However your books and your continued goodness and strength of spirit throughout your life is also much appreciated and reminds me once again that I have accurate and meaningful insight into people. 🙇♀️ 🫡 👊
9:40 That's such an important point he makes.
Really and incredible man. Beautiful in his outlook…. Can’t imagine going through something like that
Your books will always keep copies in my library . You are very courageous , an example to all ....
great to see u standing tall!
Excellent interview
I doubt any of the people who put out
the fatwa on Rushdie read any of his books. Some are difficult literature
not anti anything. Dictatorships need enemies to put public attention on.
The assaholas don't think. They just kill in the name of their god. Fatwa is a sickness.
After all, that to say "I'm incredibly lucky", this man understood god.
Mr.Rushdie is ❤
I was a writer in Chautauqua. I was horrified by the news. 🙏💔
respect
Bravo for still speaking
Sorry that this happened to him.
We love you Sir.
What an intelligent GENTLEMAN! I'm so glad he is forging ahead in his physical recovery and writing. This is why we have freedom of speech in America. Yes, we have to put up with a lot of stupidity and illiberalism, but we know it's a system that also allows the creme de la creme of artists and scientists to write freely. Thank you Mr. Rushdie!
The Islamists will get you anywhere. They got to you in Europe. They will get to you in America.
His books really good to become exmuslim
Love you, Salman.
It is very interesting (and scary) how two opposite understandings of "it's the books that matter" clash with terrible results.
God, I love this man. I could listen to him all day.
What a LEGEND 🙌
People are evil who attacked Salman Rushdie
❤
Nice too see you sir
Imaginary book with real life consequences. Bravo
Rushdie never asked to be a hero for free speech and press freedom. He certainly never intended to be a case study for the poisonous religious laws concerning "blasphemy" in Islam.
But that's exactly what he has become - in addition to being an incredible fiction writer.
He certainly has earned a place in history - and in the hearts of many.
🌹
❤🤲✌,you had the last😂,rust in piece to that manic Attacker
I try to read Salman, but after one or two chapters, I get bored. Reading Satanic verses was something I did to see the uproar against him.
The main issue is that there is not a single Muslim intellectual who has come out to challenge him with the PEN. They have only threatened him with death.
Ibn Rushd(Averroes) faced the same in Spain.
As a catholic I have a hard time whenever my religion is insulted or I see a caricature of Jesus on tv. In no way however would i ever think about threatening or hurting the people behind it and stand 100% those who do. All Muslims have every right to take offense to the satanic verses, but they are in no way allowed to try and threaten rushdie's life
One of the biggest problems with religion is that they confuse ideas for identity and often create the notion that certain ideas are "sacred.". But all ideas should be open to criticism and parody, especially the bad ones.
Islam and, to a lesser extent, Christianity have the greatest problems in this regard. (I've never heard of anger over a Hindu god being parodied or of Jews attacking others because Yahweh was insulted.)
It's good that Christianity has been tamed in the past couple centuries. But there were many centuries in which the church killed "heretics" with abandon. We need to be honest about this.
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Amazing man.