Houellebecq
Posted on 08/22/2002 7:24:27 AM PDT by mountaineer
Prize-winning French novelist Michel Houellebecq is being sued by four Islamic organisations in Paris after making "insulting" remarks about the religion in an interview about his latest book. The action against Mr Houellebecq, 44, is being launched on 17 September by plaintiffs including Saudi Arabia's World Islamic League and the Mosque of Paris.
Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Paris mosque, said Muslims felt insulted by comments in the novel Plateforme, in which a character admits to a "quiver of glee" every time a "Palestinian terrorist" is killed.
The author's lawyer, Emmanuel Pierrat, said the case is "very similar" to that of British novelist Salman Rushdie - and has said that Mr Houellebecq could be assassinated.
....
His latest novel, Plateforme, is said to praise prostitution and has a denouement based on an attack on a tourist resort by suspected Muslim terrorists.
But it is an interview with the literary magazine Lire during last year's launch of the book that prompted the legal action.
Mr Houellebecq reportedly said in Lire that reading the Koran is "so depressing" and that Islam is "the stupidest religion".
"He is deliberately insulting, he uses obscene words which are intolerable. Let him take full responsibility for them." said Mr Boubakeur.
Mr Boubakeur said such comments flouted laws on religious tolerance and provoked racial hatred.
"If I were Jewish I would bring a case for 10 times less than this," he added.
But Mr Houellebecq's lawyer says the prosecution's arguments were all based on the novel and the discussions around it.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Religious tolerance indeed. I guess this guy sees it as a one way street.
What an odd phrase. Are the attackers suspected of being Muslims, or of being terrorists? And isn't a group attacking a resort terrorist, sort of by definition?
a character admits to a "quiver of glee" every time a "Palestinian terrorist" is killed.
I don't get it. Is there some reasons we shouldn't feel a quiver of glee when a terrorist is killed?
Note that he didn't say "a Palestinian." I don't get upset when someone promotes the killing of "American terrorists." AS a matter of fact, I'm all for it!
What is not being said in this lawsuit is more profound than what is said. Those suing obviously identify with terrorists and are upset when anyone says bad things about them. Just as a lot of black Americans obviously choose to identify themselves with criminals, based on whom they choose to defend.
The recent case of the young black boy in FL who killed an even younger black girl is an example. Most "black leaders" chose to identify themselves with the perpetrator rather than with his equally black victim.
LOL, I feel a lot more than a quiver...
Mr Boubakeur said such comments flouted laws on religious tolerance and provoked racial hatred.
"If I were Jewish I would bring a case for 10 times less than this," he added.
The difference of course being that Judaism is a pretty sensible religion while mohammadism is the stupidest cult
God Save America (Please)
I read it as being redundant. All muslims are terrorists. It's commanded in the koran.
GSA(P)
His latest novel, Plateforme, is said to praise prostitution
Never mind, he's French.
Mr Houellebecq reportedly said in Lire that reading the Koran is "so depressing" and that Islam is "the stupidest religion".
The author's lawyer, Emmanuel Pierrat, said the case is "very similar" to that of British novelist Salman Rushdie - and has said that Mr Houellebecq could be assassinated.
Gee, I wonder where Houellebecq would get his ideas. I couldn't imagine.
Mr Boubakeur said such comments flouted laws on religious tolerance and provoked racial hatred. "If I were Jewish I would bring a case for 10 times less than this," he added.
Uh, I think Mr. Boubakeur just brought a case upon himself with that remark.
Thank the Lord God in Heaven for the First Amendment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.