As freedom from religion is for me an important issue, I've been following with interest the recent
news story about Muslim reactions to the publication of cartoons of Muhammad by a Danish newspaper
Jyllands Posten, later also republished in other European papers. I found the caricatures online in a
couple of
places . None of them had me rolling on the floor, but I did laugh at the one shown above, although it took a few minutes of research to actually understand what the score with virgins in paradise is. For the benefit of those as ignorant of the Qu'ran as me, apparently one of the rewards awaiting Muslim men in heaven is the ensured access to a ready supply of virginal houris:
And theirs shall be the dark-eyed houris, chaste as hidden pearls: a guerdon for their deeds... We created the houris and made them virgins, loving companions for those on the right hand...
(Penguin translation by NJ Dawood, fragment of sura 56. See also this Guardian article)
Leaves one wondering what are the rewards women get in return for their chastity here on Earth.
..
As freedom from religion is for me an important issue, I've been following with interest the recent news story about Muslim reactions to the publication of cartoons of Muhammad by a Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, later also republished in other European papers. I found the caricatures online in a couple of places . None of them had me rolling on the floor, but I did laugh at the one shown above, although it took a few minutes of research to actually understand what the score with virgins in paradise is. For the benefit of those as ignorant of the Qu'ran as me, apparently one of the rewards awaiting Muslim men in heaven is the ensured access to a ready supply of virginal houris:
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