- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Imran Khan calls Salman Rushdie a ‘self-hating’ Muslim
“I am called an Islamic fundamentalist by Rushdie. My critics in Pakistan say I am a Zionist agent" muses Khan.
“I am called an Islamic fundamentalist by Rushdie. My critics in Pakistan say I am a Zionist agent" muses Khan. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, in an interview to The NewYork Times, cited his reasons for cancelling his participation at a conference in New Delhi which Salman Rushdie was attending.
“I always hated his writing. He always sees the ugly side of things. He is… a ‘self-hating’ Muslim,” Khan stated in his interview.
Commenting on the names he has been called by Rushdie and other critics, Khan said, “I am called an Islamic fundamentalist by Rushdie. My critics in Pakistan say I am a Zionist agent. I must be doing something right.”
During the interview, Khan also stressed upon the fact that the Muslims have different ways of looking at religion than the West, and that the West needs to understand this.
ISI Links?
When asked about his party’s alleged links to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and the extremists, Khan said, “It is these Westoxified Pakistanis who call me ‘Taliban Khan’… But how can they compare me with these uneducated boys of the Taliban or connect me to mullahs? If you read my book, you will find that the Islam I relate to is Sufi Islam. Our policy is to talk to all political players.
“These so-called extremists in Pakistan should be brought into the mainstream; if you marginalise them, you radicalise them.”
Criticising Hudood Ordinance
According to the interviewer, there was a “small explosion of anger” when Khan was asked about his stance on women’s rights as he refused to support the Hudood Ordinance. Khan said he would repeal the Hudood law altogether if he is elected.
When Khan was told that many liberal-minded people in Pakistan are worried about his positions, Khan exclaimed: “Morons!”
“First you have to guarantee basic social and economic rights before you get to gender rights! What is the point of these NGO workers showing up in conservative tribal areas wearing blue jeans?!”
Read more:
imrankhan
Reader Comments (71)
Pakistan Latest Stories
President Zardari meets Nawaz Sharif, promises support
The two Pakistani politicians discussed the overall political situation of the country.
Fire breaks out at Lahore building
The rescue team is busy trying to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
7 Bridal oddities you are sure to meet in Pakistan!
Come experience and pray you don’t become one of them.
Altaf Hussain speech: SC orders petitioner to name ‘MQM chief’ in application
Chief justice says MQM is registered under Farooq Sattar's name in Pakistan, puts off hearing for one week.
Short order: SC cancels transfers and appointments made by caretaker setup
All transferred or appointed officers will revert back to original postings.
Chinese PM awarded Nishan-e-Pakistan on arrival in Islamabad
President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker PM Mir Hazar Khan Khoso welcomed the Chinese PM.
PM’s discretionary funds: AGP to audit schemes initiated by Ashraf
Special audit to determine if there were any wrongdoings in the process.
Double attack: Two FC personnel killed in blast
Electricity supply to Wana, which was suspended following the blast.
Chinese engineers escape botched bomb attack
Experts say detonator of roadside bomb went off but the device didn’t.
Voicing concerns: Tareen calls for recount in 25 constituencies
Says it was unfair for the election commission to shift the expenses of the recount to the complainants.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Eid moon spotted in North Waziristan
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
Great IK you are the next prime minister….Recommend
Imran Khan Kadam Barhao Hum Tumharai Saath Hain !!
It’s time for Sharif Brothers to make a DeaL & goto Jeddah :D
Recommend
Salman Rushdee picked fight him.. he just responded back.. I dont see more in this argument but personal remarks..
i dont want to go into discussion I want to refrain my self from commenting on Rushdee.. Needless to say why
Recommend
Please I K do not try to score points
RecommendSalman Rushdie never claimed to be a Muslim
Now this is called a leader who knows how to answer and make a statement… INSHALLAH nxt PM
Recommend
But you opposed the Women’s Protection Bill on lame arguments.
Recommend
Somebody needs a few lessons on truth. Salamn is not a Muslim. calling him as Muslim as Rushdi has obviously decided to part from this faith long time ago. Salman’s book Midnight Children is one of the best book I have read about the partition of the subcontinent. Another book of essays ‘Imaginary Homelands’ was another master piece which we should all read. It tells you how people feel going to a different society. Lost in what you believed back home and now in the new environment. Then he calls his liberal critics as morons. I wish I could return that compliment, but as a liberal I would find that below the belt.
then he says: “First you have to guarantee basic social and economic rights before you get to gender rights! What is the point of these NGO workers showing up in conservative tribal areas wearing blue jeans?!”
There are two points I would like to make.
1. Changing basic social and economic rights can take decades if not centuries. Should unprivileged wait that long?
2. If NGO walks around in jeans that is their basic right. It also tells women locked up in dark homes what freedom can do to them.
I like IK when he talks about eradication of corruption, but would not encourage others to vote for him because of his right wing fundamentalist approach towards women, who form a major part of our society.
Recommend
well well well i don’t want to discuss what the savior of land of pure has to say its not our issue
but i saw a documentary on salman rusdee on youtube after the book he wrote and the event followed after that and he apologize cause his life became mess after the fatwa from IRAN and IRAN also took back FATWA i still wonder that this 18billion land of extra ordinary over genius savior of Islam could ever learn to forgive
Recommend
If anyone has read Salman Rushdie you will know his love for all things wonderful and his keen observatory skills. This guy is smart, super smart. A genius even. That guy has won a booker prize for God sakes!
Not only that, his book “The Midnight’s Children” was selected by the Booker committee to be the best book to have won a Booker Prize.
Imran Khan didn’t come to India to face Salman Rushdie face to face for 2 things
1) He would anger the Islamist forces in Pakistan(A shame really).
2) The most important point being that he will not be able to face the Rushdie wit.
Rushdie married and later divorced 3 women despite not having the looks of Imran Khan, he has a magical tongue, that is for sure.
For those who hate Rushdie because he has blasphemed, let me tell you he has not. I’ve read Satanic Verses. If someone can quote me a passage where he does Blaspheme, I’ll be grateful. Until that happens I’ll hold my position.
He does attack the root of Islam though, just like Dan Brown did. The only difference is the Christian world did not try to kill Dan Brown. Ask yourself why such differences in approach?
Recommend
Of all the things talked about in the article, Tribune could find this phrase to be the most title-worthy? Seriously?
Stop acting like lackeys of the Western mainstream media and start thinking independently
IK’s opinion on the ignoble Rushdie is of the least importance to us – his opinions on security, education and the economy matter the most to us
Recommend
Well said. What I like about him in general and which is unfortunately lacking in contemporary intellectual debate of Pakistan is the sequencing of reforms. Everything needs to be done but priority matters in real life since we have limited resources, limited time, and complex web of dependencies.
Recommend
Had Rushie been in Pakistan he would have been hanged for having written the controversial book. He is not a Muslim .Recommend
IK went to listen to a lecture by Rushdie while on tour to India.Recommend
Rushdie is an ‘atheist’ not a ‘muslim’.
““It is these Westoxified Pakistanis who abuse me”
A national ‘leader’ should speak in such a manner and stoop to such low a level of calling names.Recommend
Imran Zindabad
Recommend
IK was always against Salman Rushdie because IK was a Pakistani political leader.
Recommend
IK was against American drone strikes ,but American aid…?
Recommend
Some people here don’t understand the term “Self Hating Muslim” -:) It is mainly used by Jews for people like Rushdie…Of course Rushdie is not a muslim anymore but he was at some point and he hated it! BTW Pakistan is full of “Self Hating Muslims”.. Anyway only IK can give such interviews! Bravo!Recommend
Great Statement by IK. I am his fan big time
Recommend
Great counter-argument, Mr. Khan. I remember when I employed similar tactics in middle school.Recommend
@BruteForce:
Please. I have read him and he is a mediocre writer. Always self-important, often incomprehensible and usually boring.
Recommend
Salman Rushdie is even not a Muslim..
Recommend
Mr.Khan … Sir Rushdie has already been a Christian ….He is not a follower of Islam now..so don’t score points by these words …Who cares if you don’t like his books , whole world likes his writing..
Recommend
A finely balanced, capable leader with nuanced understanding of complex social issues – Imran Khan is the Great Quaid sent to lead the masses again. Hopefully the nation will rise up to follow his lead as before.
Recommend
IK…why u went to the Difaa Pakistan Council jalsa???? u know very well they are all mullahs and jihadis and most of them are hated by pakistanis????
why u went to JI…who is also one of the major cause of political troubles of pakistan?????????
WHY?????????????????
Recommend
So, no love lost between these two extreme specimen of Muslim men!
Recommend
@kaalchakra:
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Recommend
If Imran Khan joins hands of Sheikh Rasheed , Qazi and illetrate Mullahs…who does not know the true interpretation of Islam except dreaming of Power/ money in the name of Shariah……mislead people from modern developments…..Then Rushdie is in better place to blame all hypocrites…..Today Pakistan is suffering due to HYPOCRITes like Shaeik Rashid who accepts “Mulla Omar” as Amir ul Momineen….WHAT THE HELL THESE GUYS PLAN TO DRIVE NATION>>>>>
GOD ALREADY WROTE IN QURAN…..”Their minds, eyes, ears are sealed”…One cannot give them rational choices…..In fact the prefer to brush their teeth with shoots once in a week and spout bad out of mouth….CRAZIES….
Recommend
Salman Rushdi might or might not be a lot of things but one thing he is not for sure and that’s a threat to us in Pakistan. His purportad ‘self-hatred’ does not bother me in the least what bugs me to my core is the fear of Imran’s attempt at teaching me what he perceives the ‘Truth’ to be and deciding for me the ‘right way’ to live my life—–this is something we must seriously consider and be warned of before throwing our vote and helping him create that trap for us.
Recommend
What is the point of these NGO workers showing up in conservative tribal areas wearing blue jeans?!” true absolutely true.double standards.see how our female tv anchors are dressed these days!!!!!!
Recommend
Taliban apologists and the ones who condemn the killing of world renowned terrorists by drone attacks while displaying a complete silence on killings of millions of muslims and non muslims by the hands of those who use Islam as a front cover of their violent political ideology are the real ‘self hating’ muslims.
These ‘self hating’ muslims are also apparently causing the innocent muslims to collect hatred from whole world in lieu of actions of proponents of political islam championed by Hasan Albanna, Maududi, Syed Qutub and likes of those who tow their line like Imran Khan and Tariq Ali.
Recommend
I am sorry but from what I’ve read he is a pretty mediocre writer. Why my some Indian friends love him is of course because ask him any question about Pakistan he will go hysterical in his narrow-minded bias. And why of course some non-Muslims would like him is because he is what Imran Khan called him, a self-hating Muslim!
Recommend
@R.A:
get your fact right….even during the height of threat to his life he tried to convince the world that he is is a muslim by reciting KALIMA before news channels.Recommend
rushdie was and is a mediocre writer if not poor like tasleema nasreen….however he got such fame and name because of reactions from muslim society. if it has not been so…he would be fit enough to be dumped in the dust bin of history.apart from this a bitter truth also exists….write anything against islamic beliefs and you would be a celeberity overnight.Recommend
@Hmm:
wow…..its a news tht SIR rushdie is a christian…Recommend
@Hmm:
only the perverted would love a RUSHDIE or TASLIMARecommend
What the world thinks, Rushdie says. So we are not all self hating Muslims. Heck, some of us are not even Muslims and don’t need Taliban khan chastising us.
Recommend
“Salman Rushdie” is an introspecting Muslim!!
Recommend
Salman Rushdie was raised as MUSLIM and he wrote that book he was muslim too. He was born into a Shia Muslim family. But now is atheist.
So what are you guys talking about.Recommend
@BruteForce:
Rushdie loves everything except Islam and Muslims. He is a loyal servant of the Hate Islam Lobby. The quality of one’s writing does not make someone a better human being — certainly Rushdie qualifies as a wretched hate-monger.
Recommend
I agree with IK’s statement “First you have to guarantee basic social and economic rights before you get to gender rights”. If you think women dont have rights in our society, you are wrong, we elected woman as our PM 2 decades back. In my view, in our society weak and poor dont have rights and since women are weaker than men therefore they are more deprived.
Recommend
@BruteForce:
I agree with you. I have heard IK speak in Western countries where he tries to sell himself as a “pro-Western” politician (in New York, he was merely giving advice to, not criticizing, the U.S. administration and its policies on Afpak). As for not going to India to face Rushdie, BrutForce has touched a sensitive nerve in IK who does indeed fear Rushdie’s wit and charm which can be overpowering for the audiences, and would make IK look small before the audiences; indeed, IK looks more like a confused unprincipled man who wants to become a leader by hook or crook — by offering “something for everyone” of the electorate. If he is ever elected, Pakistan will not only witness a turbulent time but also face fragmentation. As for Pakistanis who support him with comments in this forum, it is a sad reflection on Pakistani society that they can easily be taken for a ride by a speech. The test lies in critically assessing what a poliitician is saying, not blindly following and support him. Unlike in neighbouring India, where most politicians are viewed very criticially, Pakistanis have lost their perceptive powers and are the most confused people on earth, thanks to the brainwashing by the politicians, the military and the mullahs. We need more nation builders such as engineers, doctors, scientists (not thieves stealing secrets from Dutch labs, as one – now infamous – self-professing scientist did), entrepreneurs/industrialists and the like — definitely not madrassah graduates. I am beginning to realize that the power of madrassah will grow even more should Imran Khan, someday, become the PM.
Recommend
Actually being liberal implies ” Self hating” . An american said so, since goras have more credilibity for you Pak people!
Recommend
IK when will you grow up? Rushdie is not a Muslim. Period.
Recommend
Cheap point scoring by ‘Appeal the Jahil’ comments.
IK is portraying as Islamic fundamentalist now that he want an elected seat, least we forget what past. Are we so forgetful?
Are we do ignorant to not see through this guts cheap games? He party has not put forward a single meaningful policy implementation plan. To eradicate corruption in 90 days, alright but how?
Wake up people!! Stop supporting liars willy nilly!
Recommend
Lol Rushdie’s a writer??, hah I could find you more than a dozen better writers here at the University of Sydney then this joker. He received fame only because he attacked his religion of birth, not because he had extra ordinary talent!.
Recommend
Salamn Rushdie is not even eligible to be called a Muslim
Recommend
@BruteForce:
You entertain too much love and awe of Salman Rushdie. I have gotten a chance to read some of his writings too. He might be good but not that brilliant as you are making it out to be. For your all best seller credentials for Rushdie, IK has one giant cancer hospital for poor people to his credit. The day Rushdie even comes close in being as good as IK in serving humanity, people will consider giving him an ear.
Recommend
IK feels the pain of Muslims, we neead a leader like him and we firmly beleive that he is the leader who can make our country free of corruption, biasness.
Recommend
@ antanu g
rushdie was and is a mediocre writer if not poor like tasleema nasreen….however he got such fame and name because of reactions from muslim society
Rushdie won a booker prize even before he was given a Fatwa- or Muslims knew he existed.
Recommend
@entropy:
“Please. I have read him and he is a mediocre writer.”
My friend who couldn’t understand his style of prose said the same thing. Unfortunately, the experts on the Booker committee, with their years of experience and knowledge know better, just like I.
The best thing about Rushdie is only the most intelligent can even understand his prose.Recommend
@Pro Bono Publico:
“He is a loyal servant of the Hate Islam Lobby. ”
Now, we are getting somewhere. You hate him because he doesn’t believe in something you hold dear- Islam. He has also criticised all organised Religions, including Christianity. What he has not done is hurt anyone, but the loyal followers of Islam have done so in anger directed at him.
So, lets stop pretending he is a bad writer or a lesser Human. He is infact a genius, who write excellent prose.
This guy has won the Booker prize, the Nobel prize equivalent for literature.Recommend
@Critic:
The Rushdie wit is very famous indeed. He enthrals his audience with some literary wizardry in his books. He is pretty good as an orator too. What he does is he challenges the conventional mindset, makes you think. Thats the best part.
IK and Rushdie might be wrong in some cases, right in others. But, a one on one, IK will never win, even embarrassed by Rushdie. Catch Rushdie on Youtube, especially the speech he delivered against Imran Khan.Recommend
@Falcon:
“I have gotten a chance to read some of his writings too. He might be good but not that brilliant as you are making it out to be. ”
Tell that to the Booker committee who elected his Book- The Midnight’s Children- to be the best Booker prize winning book ever!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7499495.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/jul/10/news.bookerprize
http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-booker.html
So, the experts in literature on the Booker Committee, with years of experience and knowledge, are fools and you, who, I am sure, would not have finished even a single chapter of Midnight’s Children, are the best, the ultimate judge of modern English literature.
The level of Rushdie’s writing is pretty high and he is very unconventional. You can be excused if you admit to not understanding him. You need a certain level of intelligence clubbed with a better knowledge of English to actually understand Rushdie. Not every layman, like your esteemed self, possess those necessary skills.Recommend
Falcon & antanu g,
Who appointed you the supreme judge of the quality of literature in the free world?
Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children was recently declared the BOOKER OF BOOKERS. If that does not seal the case, what does?
Recommend
Rushdie is a Muslim?
Recommend
Imran Khan, a man of great character, showed his greatness. He is a last hope, we must give him a chance on bases of his honesty and unmatched services in health, education and social sector. Please lets join hands.Recommend
“I am called an Islamic fundamentalist by Rushdie. My critics in Pakistan say I am a Zionist agent. I must be doing something right.”
Anyone who accuses Mr Khan of being a Zionist agent is completely off his rocker. Mr Khan should not worry about such people.By the way, can you name two such persons?
Recommend
What a joke this forum has become. You cannot compare Imran Khan, a man of average mental faculties to a brilliant mind like Salman Rushdie. Salman Rushdie churns out characters like Imran Khan in his fictional writing every couple of years.
Recommend
@Muhammad Adil:
“Imran Khan, a man of great character, showed his greatness…”
.
I agree with you. He has always shown great character:
He was wishing to become a PM under Musharraf, but when there was no hope, he started pouring venom.
He met with the US Ambassador and kept denying, it till it became unbearable.
He gambled with public donations but claims gambling is a vice in Islam.
Like a good Muslim, he has a set of rules, that others have to follow but not him.
That is a sign of great character.Recommend
@SharifL:
You are wrong. Women are NOT a major part of Islamic societies; they are only a major part of the population.
Recommend
Imran is a short sighted, pseudo-intellect and opportunist politician. He is no match for the genius of Salman Rushdie.
Many thanks
Dr Kadar Khan FRCS
Recommend
Rushdie has abandoned Islam and does not claim to be a Muslim!
Recommend
It took a real man to put the talentless hack fool Salman Rushdie in his place…
That real man was Imam Khumayni, who stood up and also exercised HIS “freedom of speech” by giving his “opinion” that Salman Rushdie needs to be sent to Hell by anyone who comes into contact with him.
Paki politicians aren’t fit to shine Khumayni’s shoes.
Recommend
Lo! It seems the Great Khan can not even distinguish between a ‘True Mslim’ and a nonMuslim.
Supporters of Khan, Beware.
Recommend
IK gave reasons for cancelling his participation at a conference in New Delhi which Salman Rushdie was attending.
What he did , Great,as a Pakistani Citizen and Leader, the best way to just show people, that still Pakistanies have courage to face anit Pakistani and Anti Muslim world.
I feel sorry to read some Pakistanies people comments above.
Recommend
@ Abid P Khan:
Lets suppose If the points you raised are correct then who could be else….. should we test again the PPP and PML-N.
I don’t claim that Imran Khan is an angle however, he has good intentions for the country and its people and this means to me and the rest is up to Allah. May Allah have pity on us.Recommend
Rushdie does not measure up to the glorious standards of Pakistani English
Recommend
After the way we are so proud to break the arms of a mentally retarded 11 year old christian girl and baying for her blood, I too am a self hating muslim. I have never hated myself so much in my life.
Recommend
@Ahad: Not Insha Allah my brother Shia Muslim, but Allah help us.
Recommend
@BruteForce: OMG ! I thought you were someone unemployed with nothing better to do other then write comments in ET for every news item that allowed comments. However, I agree with you (and reluctantly admire you) for your post.
Recommend