In defence of Salman Rushdie

Source cd2022

Augus 21, 2022 Cologne, Germany

In defence of Salman Rushdie

Celebrating Dissent 2022 condems the violent attack on Salman Rushdie and stands in unequivocal solidarity with the brave writer.

We are pleased to finally see support for Rushdie, rather than the usual vilification and victim blaming that comes after free thinkers are targeted by the Islamist movement.

Whilst the attacker’s motives have not yet been revealed, his allegiance to the Islamic regime in Iran clearly links the attack to Khomeini’s 1989 fatwa against Rushdie.

The Iranian regime, in specific, and the Islamist movement, in general, have responded to any freethought with terror and violence over decades. Entire generations of freethinkers have been brutally attacked, jailed, tortured and killed for their conscience and expression. Unfortunately, the brutal attack on Rushdie is not the first nor will it be the last.

Celebrating Dissent pays tribute to Rushdie and all dissenters at risk across the globe. We will continue to celebrate the rights to apostasy and blasphemy until no one is persecuted for their conscience and expression.

And still we rise.