Fatima Bhutto Calls Out Author Richard Dawkins for Calling Azaan ‘Aggressive’
Express Tribune, July 17, 2018
Fatima Bhutto on Tuesday called out acclaimed British scientist and writer Richard Dawkins for his post regarding Azaan. The latter had posted a picture of himself in front of a cathedral, comparing the sound of the church bells to the Muslim call to prayer.
The 77-year-old Dawkins wrote, “Listening to the lovely bells of Winchester, one of our great mediaeval cathedrals. So much nicer than the aggressive-sounding Allahu Akbar. Or is that just my cultural upbringing?”
Listening to the lovely bells of Winchester, one of our great mediaeval cathedrals. So much nicer than the aggressive-sounding “Allahu Akhbar.” Or is that just my cultural upbringing? pic.twitter.com/TpCkq9EGpw
— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 16, 2018
Angered by Dawkins distasteful tweet, the 36-year-old Bhutto responded with a short but effective, “No, it’s your bigotry.”
No, it’s your bigotry. https://t.co/73nwuSGjgK
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) July 17, 2018
Unsurprisingly, many others followed suit.
I have the same relationship with it as you have with the “Bells of Winchester”; but what you suggested here is ignorant and flat out wrong. As an atheist, you should stop this ironic dance of hate on the lines between religions.
— Morteza Behrooz (@lessteza) July 16, 2018
OR This tweet translated into English “I’m going to spend my whole career arguing rationally and for the importance of rationality and then make some stupid comment based on a completely irrational (not to mention offensively prejudicial) mode of thought in a public sphere”
— Matthew Kaner (@mattkaner) July 16, 2018
Dr @RichardDawkins, you used to be my intellectual hero. I learned so much from you. It makes me sad that you feel the need to say things like this. It does not contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, and comes off as very intolerant. I miss the old you.
— Christiaan Conradie (@IAmChristiaanC) July 16, 2018
I’m genuinely ashamed I ever liked you.
— ˈmeəndə bi (@MandaBaar) July 17, 2018
I’m not a defender of religions in general, but this is an absolutely absurd and obtuse comparison.
— Dennis Hazelett (@vigocarpathian) July 16, 2018
Just last year, a similar statement by Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam made headlines. Nigam had expressed his displeasure on being ‘forced’ to wake up to the Azaan every morning.
