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A Mirror For Our Times
'The Rushdie Affair' and the Future of Multiculturalism
A Mirror For Our Times
'The Rushdie Affair' and the Future of Multiculturalism
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Description
Taking as its starting-point the opening two years of the controversy, Paul Weller uses the events and arguments of those years as a lens through which to view what later developed, both in relation to the controversy itself, but also its wider entails, and the incidents and issues through which aspects of the original controversy were reprised. The anniversary of the controversy presents a good opportunity to review the incidents, issues and debates of the time in some historical perspective, while also connecting them with subsequent incidents that have reprised some of the key themes, such as the 'cartoons' controversy, the terror attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, and the killing of the Dutch filmmaker, Theo Van Gogh. The book holds up a mirror for our times that will be of interest to academics, politicians, students, and religious believers, as well as to all who are engaged with the twenty-first century challenges posed by living with radical difference, freedom of expression, and mutual respect, with exploring the relationship between religion and secularity, and with overcoming the threats posed by religiously informed violence.
Table of Contents
Chronology of Key Events
1: The Contours of the Controversy
Salman Rushdie and The Satanic Verses
Literary and Critical Responses
From Lobbying to Book-Burning and Demonstrations
The Political and Legal Arenas
The Fatwa: Its International Context and Repercussions
The Continuing Controversy
2: Actions and Reactions in the Controversy
Muslim Concerns
The Spectrum of Muslim Responses
Rushdie's Reactions
Political Reactions
Media and Social Reactions
Christian Reactions
Other Religious Reactions
Inter-Faith and Cross-Community Reactions
The 'Entails' of the Controversy
3: Through the Looking Glass
The Controversy as Magnifying Glass
Believing and Belonging
Religion and the Secular
Religion, Art and Values in Contention
Law in Contention: Rights and Restraints
Political Representation and Participation in a Plural Society
4: Echoes, Reverberations and 'Social Policy Shock'
On the Other Side of Terror/The War on Terror
Bombings and 'Hard' Wars
Culture and 'Soft' Wars (Continued)
'Glocalism', Globalization and Media Age
Religious Radicalism, 'Otherness', Freedom, Terror and Public Policy
Incitement to Hatred, Conspiracy Theories and Islamophobia
Anti-Catholicism and Islamophobia, Past and Present
Social Policy Challenges, Legal Developments and Religious Responsibilities
Concluding Notes Towards a Common Future
A Wise Nation/World?
Bibliography
Index
Product details
Published | 22 Feb 2009 |
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Format | Ebook (PDF) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 296 |
ISBN | 9781441148834 |
Imprint | Continuum |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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"This book reflects many years of research by Professor Paul Weller. It uses the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Rushdie Affair to reflect on the relation between Islam in all its various forms on European society and more generally on the nature of multicultural society. It will be widely referred to by all those interested" - Professor John Rex, The University of Warwick, UK
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"In my honest opinion, this is the first time, I have read a book which is so neutral, thorough and fair. It is not judgemental, yet very reflective. It explains clearly what happened. I am sure that this intellectual mirror would be a useful tool for those who have and who have not lived through that turbulent time as well as those who wish to see the making of a true harmonious society. I wish that there were more academics of Professor Weller's kind in Europe." - Bashy Quraishy, Chair - Advisory Council - European Network Against Racism, Brussels; Chair- Jewish Muslim Co-operation Platform in Europe, Brussels
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"Professor Weller has a number of significant and controversial points to make. Some of the most interesting parts of the book are those where he traces the debate generated by the Satanic Verses affair on issues such as multi-culturalism and the atmosphere of social fear, particularly after July 2005. It is a stimulating work, one that shows an immense amount of organisation of material and structure." - Dr Ataullalh Siddiqui, Director, Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK
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Mention in Derby Evening Telegraph, March 2009
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Mentioned in the THE, March 2010
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'This book is a major contribution to the debate over the place of religion in society. It should be widely and carefully read.' Baptist Quarterly, January 2010

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