Mortaine’s Blog

So, not surprisingly, a fatwa calling for death has been called on Isiome Daniel, the reporter whose article sparked riots during the Miss World pageant– riots that had probably been brewing under the surface for a while.

Mamoudu Shinkarfi, the deputy governor of Zamfara state, said on national television: “Any true Muslim would make sure that this woman’s blood is spilled wherever she is.”

To Ms. Daniel: I want to extend my hospitality– you’re welcome to come stay at my house if you need a safe place to hide out. I vehemently disagree with the idea that suggesting something antithetical to fanatical views could actually provoke rioting, and I would defend to the death a writer’s right to scribe what she wishes and to live without fear of violence for her words. My email address is on my LiveJournal userinfo page– feel free to email me if you need a safe house.

This article explains a little bit more about the fatwa and what it can mean to writers like Daniel and Rushdie.