Roots of rationality
Tariq Ramadan
September 22, 2006 12:59 PM
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/tariq_ramadan/2006/09/the_pope_and_islam_the_true_de.html
A few sentences spoken by Pope Benedict XVI were sufficient to touch
off a firestorm of impassioned reaction. Throughout the Muslim world
religious leaders, presidents, politicians and intellectuals joined
their voices to protesting masses angered by a perceived "insult" to
their faith. Most did not read the Pope's speech; others had relied on
a sketchy summary according to which the Pope had linked Islam and
violence. But all railed against what they saw as an "intolerable
offence".
Whatever the judgments of these scholars and intellectuals, one would
have hoped that they would adopt a more reasoned approach in their
critical remarks, for two reasons. First, the unquestionable sincere
love and reverence Muslims have for Prophet Muhammad notwithstanding,
we are well aware how certain groups or governments manipulate crises
of this kind as a safety valve for both their restive populations and
their own political agenda.
A modest proposal
Rory O'Connor
September 22, 2006 08:37 AM
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/rory_oconnor/2006/09/a_modest_proposal_lets_declare.html
As a rookie reporter, I once received a letter - and a lasting lesson -
from a great American. It may seem odd in this highly partisan
political age, but I was a war-protesting radical rabble-rouser and he
was a Vietnam-era Republican senator from Vermont named George Aiken.
I had just written a newspaper article reminding readers of Aiken's
famously unheeded advice to two presidents on what they should do about
a stupid, divisive, brutal, unnecessary and costly war that was
grinding on, mindlessly and incessantly, day after day, year after
year. To Senator Aiken, the solution was simple: "Declare victory and
go home."
.
|
