generations, should be poked and prodded. But for some keen to
criticise Islam, their enthusiasm is born from their own intolerance of
that religion, not an enthusiasm for the values of satire itself.

In the aftermath of the killings in Paris, Salman Rushdie said:
“Religion, a mediaeval form of unreason, when combined with modern
weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms . . . I stand with
Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has
always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and
stupidity.” He should know.