INDCJournal: Even More Quick Links

September 19, 2006

Even More Quick Links

Posted by Dorkafork

*** The chairman of one of the largest independent Islamic organizations in the world is telling Muslims to put a sock in it with regards to the Pope's statement. (alternate link)

Hasyim said the regret was "enough" and further resentment from the Muslims would only justify the pope's statement. "If the rage continues, perhaps what the pope said is true," he said.

*** The statement quoted by the Pope was from a conversation between the Byzantium Emperor Manuel II and an "educated Persian", but who was the "educated Persian" and what were the circumstances of their discussion? The surprising answer is that Manuel II was a vassal of the Turks, the "educated Persian" was a judge, and the discussion took place under the auspices of the Turkish sultan*. See this post by Gail at Scribal Terror for more. This comment by Gail is also worth quoting:

How interesting indeed, that in the old days of Muslim ascendency, no one offered to cut off the head of the questioning infidel, although they could easily have done so. Instead, his gracious hosts encouraged him to speak his mind and amused themselves by answering his objections and correcting his misconceptions, as they understood them.
The behavior of the Qadi and his Sultan, in my opinion, should be celebrated as one of the high points of Muslim civilization. Has that civilization declined so much in the intervening centuries, that the way debates are settled is now by vitriol and violence instead of by reasoned and dignified discourse?

*** On a much lighter note, today is Talk Like A Pirate Day. Readers of INDCJournal who happen to be pirates may be interested to read about "the only drunken Pirate seeking office in this great nation": James Hill (Who could soon be referred to as James Hill (ARR! - IA)). While not endorsing his candidacy, I would note that past experience in plundering and pillaging means he should fit right in with the rest of Congress.

* Updated for accuracy per second comment.

Posted by Dorkafork at September 19, 2006 02:10 PM | TrackBack (3)

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Comments

"Has that civilization declined so much in the intervening centuries, that the way debates are settled is now by vitriol and violence instead of by reasoned and dignified discourse?"

Wait, that's a trick question, innit?

Posted by: Phil Smith at September 19, 2006 04:14 PM

Thanks, Dorka. I've made a slight correction because my source was ambiguous about whether the sultan was actually present at the debates, but they were certainly carried on under his auspices.

Posted by: gail at September 19, 2006 04:35 PM

This history of the Byzantine Empire from 1078 onwards is one of the saddest there is. Right up there with Poland in the modern period.

Posted by: Jason at September 19, 2006 05:34 PM

I'm reading a history of the Byzantine empire right now. I hear it's a three handerchief ending.

Posted by: gail at September 19, 2006 11:20 PM

Your "put a sock in it" link goes to a story on Singapore's finance minister slamming the World Bank.

Posted by: Dean Esmay at September 20, 2006 10:05 AM

Thanks, should work now. (Added an alternate link since the Jakarta Post's HTML is weird and may break again.)

Posted by: dorkafork at September 20, 2006 11:34 AM