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Free Expression
Salman Rushdie,


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Free Expression

Free Expression
Mamaroneck and Larchmont, NY

This work created from a montage of garbage and litter (Mamaroneck, NY) and Scrabble® pieces that read “Free Expression” is dedicated to best-selling author Salman Rushdie who was brutally attacked on 12 August 2022 in New York as he was about to lead a discussion as all decent people wish for and pray for his rapid recovery. He must NOT die under these circumstances!

Mr. Rushdie was brazenly attacked in an evil attempt to silence his voice and suffocate the concept of “free expression,” the latter an infallible and inalienable human right. The smiling face is used to reinforce the fact that “free expression” is fundamental to human existence and essential for joy.

This outrageous and barbaric attack only serves to besmirch Islam and the good Prophet Muhammad, a strong believer in forgiveness. Coincidentally, it also desecrated the Muslim sabbath when millions of pious Muslims were praying and attending services all around the world. :(

The 1989 fatwa calling for Mr. Rushdie’s murder is antithetical to Islam. It is the product of an apostate who lies in a sarcophagus in Tehran and whose name is not worth mentioning so as not to give him undeserved recognition or respect. Let the following Qu’ranic verses and admonition testify to true Islam and the tragic path the fatwa's issuer followed:

“…and let them pardon and overlook.” [The Light: 24:22]
“Do not follow the footsteps of Satan.” [The Light: 24:21]

As for the few (when all Muslims are considered worldwide) who rejoiced out of depravity, it would be wise if they familiarize themselves with the Hadith (a traditional saying traced back to the Prophet Muhammad as guidance) that declares: "Do not rejoice over the misfortune of your brother, lest Allah have mercy upon him and afflict you with trials." [Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2506]

sunlight, Rafael, Nouchetdu38, micritter and 38 other people have particularly liked this photo


34 comments - The latest ones
 Esther
Esther club
A very thoughtful work.
20 months ago.
 Dominique 60
Dominique 60 club
un beau meli melo william !!
20 months ago.
 tiabunna
tiabunna club
Interesting notes and a great work, William.
20 months ago.
 Günter Klaus
Günter Klaus club
Da hast du sehr gute Worte zu deinen tollen Kunstwerk gefunden lieber William :))

Wünsche noch einen schönen Sonntag,ganz liebe Grüße Güni :))
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Esther, Dominique, Tiabunna, and Gunter! Stay well!
20 months ago.
 ©UdoSm
©UdoSm club
Hello William, I cannot fully share your words, because sometimes free opinion and provocation are very close to each other...
20 months ago.
William Sutherland club has replied to ©UdoSm club
Put aside hate (e.g. Nazism, supremacy cults) sometimes provocation can be a good thing to expand one's thoughts. If an idea or something cannot survive a challenge then how valid is it?
At the same time, violence because of one's disagreement is not the answer. Thoughtful discourse that coherently explains and defends a position is a better approach that will win more influence.
20 months ago.
©UdoSm club has replied to William Sutherland club
I cannot agree with such theses under any circumstances !
20 months ago.
 Aus Blue
Aus Blue
very nice free expression
20 months ago.
 Eric Desjours
Eric Desjours club
Free expression in a free world is obvious. In a muzzled world, it is salvific.
To hinder it in the name of religions is indeed an aberration and your masterful work is an admirable tribute to it, William.
20 months ago.
 Annemarie
Annemarie club
Beautiful work william
20 months ago.
 Ulrich John
Ulrich John club
That’s great, William !
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Udo, Aus Blue, Eric, Annemaire and Ulrich! Stay well! The good news is Salmon Rushdie is doing a lot better today and it's now looking like the extremist's evil will have failed.
20 months ago. Edited 20 months ago.
 Andy Rodker
Andy Rodker club
Like all decent human beings of all persuasions I was disgusted by the depraved attack on Salman Rushdie. Your response here, both artistically and in prose, is both appropriate and heartfelt. Well done!
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Andy for your courage in expressing your outrage! Stay well!
20 months ago.
 Nora Caracci
Nora Caracci club
what a touching tribute !
no words for this foolish ...
20 months ago.
 * ઇઉ *
* ઇઉ * club
A wonderful dedication, filled with spiritual power and wisdom, William!

Blinded people like the assassin who carried out the dastardly attack on Salman Rushdie in NY and pleaded “not guilty” are to be pitied, as they seem not to understand the senselessness of their actions.

Your last sentence once again reveals a consensus of religions regarding the true will of Allah/God (…) and His admonitions, which also repeatedly illustrates the dubious nature of religious wars.
20 months ago.
 Josiane Dirickx
Josiane Dirickx club
Tout a été dit ! *************
20 months ago.
 Armando Taborda
Armando Taborda club
Since the world is inhabited by men, many millions of people have been dying on behalf of free expression. Salman Rushdie is just a face among all of them.

Your composition is paradigmatic as usual, William!
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you * ઇઉ * , Josiane, and Armando! Stay well!
20 months ago.
 Eunice Perkins
Eunice Perkins club
It is fine to have one's own convictions. It is not fine to force them on others. Persuasion used in mildness is a different thing. We were all created with free will and must allow others to have the same privilege. The use of violence and anger will never work to change anyone's belief. That is why the world is full of wars and uprisings which do not benefit anyone. Love and kindness is the thing that best works. I am so glad that Mr Rushdie is improving. It was a horrible attack !.
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Eunice for you well stated comment with which I agree. Stay well!
20 months ago.
 Ecobird
Ecobird club
Well put together William. It saddens me that there is so much violence in the world, whether it be in the name of religion, greed or hatred. Life is precious but in our so called civilised society it has become cheap.

Have a good week
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Sadly this is the case with today's society. :( Thank you and stay well!
20 months ago.
 Helena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
Well done, William!
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Helena! Stay well!
20 months ago.
 HelenaPF
HelenaPF club
Un très bel hommage au droit à l'expression libre! Merci William!
20 months ago.
 Don Sutherland
Don Sutherland club
Superb and timely composition.
20 months ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Helena and Don! Stay well!
20 months ago.
 Erika Akire
Erika Akire club
...an impressive creation...
20 months ago.
 Jean-Paul
Jean-Paul club
This is very thoughtful, very creative and with great depth.
19 months ago.
 dolores666
dolores666 club
R.I.P. Free Expression. Died of an onslaught of repressive hysteria circa 2001
We miss you.
19 months ago.
 "seise"
"seise"
great and thank you for info
17 months ago.
 sunlight
sunlight club
Well done !
13 months ago.

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