Madam, - John Waters, in his column of March 1st headed "Finding lost language of the heart", when praising Salman Rushdie mentioned a few points that need to be addressed.
1. In 1989, the late Ayatollah Khomeini defended the sanctity of the religion, the Great Prophet of Islam, the beliefs and values of millions of Muslims that in Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses were irresponsibly offended and desecrated. This measure taken against the offensive action of Rushdie was welcomed and fully supported by Muslim leaders in different countries and by the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference). It was expected that the measure taken, aimed at closing the door to any future disrespect against divine religions, the main source of humane values and justice in the world, would be welcomed and upheld by all monotheist followers of great prophets such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed (peace be upon them).
2. With the outstanding record and rich heritage that Ireland has in spirituality and divine beliefs, one would expect Irish writers to show more understanding and solidarity in defending divine religions and prophets whose teachings are so much needed in today's world.
3. Is not sacrilege the root cause of much violence and extremism that the world is facing nowadays? To describe insulting sanctities and divine prophets, to whom the world owes its spirituality, as "courage in the face of censorship, determination in the face of homicidal theocracy" is mind-boggling. A little thought and sincerity is needed to find out who the coveters, warmongers and homicides are in the world.
4. "The lost language of the heart" are in fact, the religions and divine prophets that Salman Rushdie offended. Let's not break the sanctity of religions and divine prophets that have been the voice for monotheism, justice and human values in the world under the pretext of freedom of expression. Let's try to defend the sanctity of the divine teachers of the prophets as the messengers of peace, friendship and ethics. - Yours, etc.,
SOUDABEH BAHREINI (Ms), Third Secretary, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dublin.