Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries

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- a.ghazali
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Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
OP - February 18, 2009, 02:06 PM

Libraries put Bible on top shelf in a sop to MuslimsBy Steve Doughty
Last updated at 7:54 AM on 18th February 2009

Librarians are being told to move the Bible to the top shelf to avoid giving offence to followers of Islam.

Muslims have complained of finding the Koran on lower shelves, saying it should be put above commonplace things.

So officials have responded with guidance, backed by ministers, that all holy books should be treated equally and go on the top shelf together.

This means that Christian works, which also have immense historical and literary value, will be kept out of the reach and sight of many readers.

The guidance was published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, a quango answering to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

It said Muslims in Leicester had moved copies of the Koran to the top shelves of libraries, in keeping with the belief that the Koran is the all-important word of God.

?This meant that no offence is caused, as the scriptures of all the major faiths are given respect in this way, but none is higher than any other,? the guidance added.

Critics said such a move implied religious works should be treated as objects of veneration rather than as books to be read. Robert Whelan of the Civitas think-tank said:

The shelving guidance came from a quango answering to Andy Burnham
?Libraries and museums are not places of worship. They should not be run in accordance with particular religious beliefs.

Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said: ?It is disappointing if the policy of libraries is dictated by the practices of one group.

?I hope there will be a rethink. I understand that Muslims revere their own text, but in public libraries there should not be a policy of putting religious texts out of reach.?

Inayat Bunglawala, of the Engage think tank, which encourages Muslims to play a greater role in public life, said: ?If Muslims wish to see the Koran placed on a higher shelf, and library rules say it should be there, then that is a welcome and considerate gesture.

?But one size does not fit all. If Christians do not want to see the Bible treated in the same way, I do not see why it has to be dealt with the same.?

Canon Chris Sugden, of the Anglican Mainstream movement, said: ?This does appear to be a reversion to medieval times, when the Bible could be read only by priests in Latin and was not to be defiled by ordinary people reading it.

?The principle to be challenged is that there is a certain way in which one must treat all holy books.

?The Bible is readily available, and it would not be difficult to have more than one copy, with some on display within the reach of children.?

The guidelines warned against another decision made in Leicester, in which Islamic material had been bought from local suppliers.

Libraries then found they had put into stock Islamic books that were condoning violence against non-Muslims, the report said.

The new guidelines make it clear that pornography can be offered by libraries.

They said that some have stocked the Black Lace series of erotic stories aimed at women, and that others bought and lent Madonna?s Sex.

Librarians faced a ?difficult balance? but should try to ?reflect changing fashion and opinion?, the guidance said.

Full story here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1148363/Libraries-Bible-shelf-sop-Muslims.html

Talking about going too far.

Knowing Islam is the only true religion we do not allow propagation of any other religion. How can we allow building of churches and temples when their religion is wrong? Thus we will not allow such wrong things in our countries. - Zakir Naik
- MSinghK
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #1 - February 18, 2009, 02:17 PM

There's nothing wrong with respecting the Quran. It should be on the top shelf. If people want to reach it they can have it brought down to them. Otherwise I bet there will be a few asswipes who'd want to mess around with it.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #2 - February 18, 2009, 02:27 PM

An excellent idea. The further out of reach the better.

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- a.ghazali
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #3 - February 18, 2009, 02:28 PM

Since pornography is now allowed in libraries, the Qur'an may end up next to Playboy on the top shelf.

Knowing Islam is the only true religion we do not allow propagation of any other religion. How can we allow building of churches and temples when their religion is wrong? Thus we will not allow such wrong things in our countries. - Zakir Naik
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #4 - February 18, 2009, 02:44 PM

MSinghK,
Giving respect to anything should not be compulsary. On a personal level, I have a copy of Bhagvad Gita and someone gifted me collection of Shabad from Guru Granth Sahib. I treat that books with respect though I have doubts. I kind of see them as a link to unmanifested world. Personally, I will not disrespect Quran as well. I have seen some Avatars on other board with Quran being used as tissue paper and being flushed, I just did not feel right about it.

My question is why do religious followers demand respect from others? Plus, why is it our conditioning as if anyhting in religious nature should respected? Plus, Muslims demand respect for Quran, but they fail to show it for other religions many a times. Many UK Muslims thought it was OK to vandalize Bamiyan Budhha.

Now the question comes about messing with book. No one should mess with any of the library books otherwise subjected to fine or some other action as per the library.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #5 - February 18, 2009, 02:58 PM

I've noticed that they have also moved the Qu'ran section to the top shelf in many bookshops. I don't have a problem with this, it's common courtesy and the same should apply to all other holy books as well. The bookshops and libraries should also make sure to provide a stepstool for those who are vertically challenged but want to study the 'holy' texts.

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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #6 - February 18, 2009, 03:12 PM

I don't much care where they put the Qur'an, but it seems a bit odd to me that they want it on the top shelf. That's where the dodgy stuff goes, lol. The Qur'an will be up there with Confessions of a Nympho Window Cleaner and 1001 Nights of Sodom.

Putting the Qur'an on the top shelf is something I would expect Geert Wilders to push for, not the muslim community.

"Befriend them not, Oh murtads, and give them neither parrot nor bunny." - happymurtad's advice on trolls.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #7 - February 18, 2009, 03:42 PM

You see in the myopic view of life, where the superior is always above the inferior, these Muslims are of the mindset that if a book is physically placed above the Qur'an it would usurp its superiority.

The childishness of such logic is baffling.

To think that the divinity of your book is minimised if another is placed above it, only shows how insecure we can be in our beliefs.

And to know the government caves in to such pathetic requests only fuels the flames for right wing organisations.

Knowing Islam is the only true religion we do not allow propagation of any other religion. How can we allow building of churches and temples when their religion is wrong? Thus we will not allow such wrong things in our countries. - Zakir Naik
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #8 - February 18, 2009, 04:17 PM

Quote from: Calm on February 18, 2009, 02:44 PM
MSinghK,
Giving respect to anything should not be compulsary. On a personal level, I have a copy of Bhagvad Gita and someone gifted me collection of Shabad from Guru Granth Sahib. I treat that books with respect though I have doubts. I kind of see them as a link to unmanifested world. Personally, I will not disrespect Quran as well. I have seen some Avatars on other board with Quran being used as tissue paper and being flushed, I just did not feel right about it.

My question is why do religious followers demand respect from others? Plus, why is it our conditioning as if anyhting in religious nature should respected? Plus, Muslims demand respect for Quran, but they fail to show it for other religions many a times. Many UK Muslims thought it was OK to vandalize Bamiyan Budhha.

Now the question comes about messing with book. No one should mess with any of the library books otherwise subjected to fine or some other action as per the library.

I personally feel that be it Quran, Bible etc etc, they should all the respected. I have a bible which I was gifted 7 years back and it sits on the top shelf with all our other gutke with shabads and paat in it. We should all learn to respect other people's beliefs and including their literature. In my house it is a crime to put a book on the floor. I got badly tld off when I was young for throwing my books around because it is through them that we get knowledge/ we take something away from it. It does not have to be religious to be respected if you know what I mean, but less people would care about the mistreatment of a history book than the Quran for example which so many people revere as the word of God.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #9 - February 18, 2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks for the reply.
MSinghK all grown up now and writing serious stuff
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #10 - February 18, 2009, 07:27 PM

Quote from: MSinghK on February 18, 2009, 04:17 PM
Quote from: Calm on February 18, 2009, 02:44 PM
MSinghK,
Giving respect to anything should not be compulsary. On a personal level, I have a copy of Bhagvad Gita and someone gifted me collection of Shabad from Guru Granth Sahib. I treat that books with respect though I have doubts. I kind of see them as a link to unmanifested world. Personally, I will not disrespect Quran as well. I have seen some Avatars on other board with Quran being used as tissue paper and being flushed, I just did not feel right about it.

My question is why do religious followers demand respect from others? Plus, why is it our conditioning as if anyhting in religious nature should respected? Plus, Muslims demand respect for Quran, but they fail to show it for other religions many a times. Many UK Muslims thought it was OK to vandalize Bamiyan Budhha.

Now the question comes about messing with book. No one should mess with any of the library books otherwise subjected to fine or some other action as per the library.

I personally feel that be it Quran, Bible etc etc, they should all the respected. I have a bible which I was gifted 7 years back and it sits on the top shelf with all our other gutke with shabads and paat in it. We should all learn to respect other people's beliefs and including their literature. In my house it is a crime to put a book on the floor. I got badly tld off when I was young for throwing my books around because it is through them that we get knowledge/ we take something away from it. It does not have to be religious to be respected if you know what I mean, but less people would care about the mistreatment of a history book than the Quran for example which so many people revere as the word of God.

I have a plethora of religious books, all of which i pay as much respect to as i would to other paperback novels - they're just there.. they don't go in any special place... my favorite though, is the Tao Te Xing (from the category of religious books)... and even that gets no special place.

i don't believe in giving ANY book a special place, other than the one i'm reading - which should merely be in arms reach.

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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #11 - February 18, 2009, 08:34 PM

Quote from: Calm on February 18, 2009, 04:42 PM
Thanks for the reply.
MSinghK all grown up now and writing serious stuff

I dont do serious stuff. Never have done in the past. I just give my view from time to time. (This is a sign that I REALLY miss Berbs).
Dont worry l2bc. Im still your litte bro.

In fact, you'll come to understand that I haven't changed even a bit and never will. I will be the same till I draw my last.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #12 - February 18, 2009, 08:37 PM

Quote from: SalahuddinR on February 18, 2009, 07:27 PM
Quote from: MSinghK on February 18, 2009, 04:17 PM
Quote from: Calm on February 18, 2009, 02:44 PM
MSinghK,
Giving respect to anything should not be compulsary. On a personal level, I have a copy of Bhagvad Gita and someone gifted me collection of Shabad from Guru Granth Sahib. I treat that books with respect though I have doubts. I kind of see them as a link to unmanifested world. Personally, I will not disrespect Quran as well. I have seen some Avatars on other board with Quran being used as tissue paper and being flushed, I just did not feel right about it.

My question is why do religious followers demand respect from others? Plus, why is it our conditioning as if anyhting in religious nature should respected? Plus, Muslims demand respect for Quran, but they fail to show it for other religions many a times. Many UK Muslims thought it was OK to vandalize Bamiyan Budhha.

Now the question comes about messing with book. No one should mess with any of the library books otherwise subjected to fine or some other action as per the library.

I personally feel that be it Quran, Bible etc etc, they should all the respected. I have a bible which I was gifted 7 years back and it sits on the top shelf with all our other gutke with shabads and paat in it. We should all learn to respect other people's beliefs and including their literature. In my house it is a crime to put a book on the floor. I got badly tld off when I was young for throwing my books around because it is through them that we get knowledge/ we take something away from it. It does not have to be religious to be respected if you know what I mean, but less people would care about the mistreatment of a history book than the Quran for example which so many people revere as the word of God.

I have a plethora of religious books, all of which i pay as much respect to as i would to other paperback novels - they're just there.. they don't go in any special place... my favorite though, is the Tao Te Xing (from the category of religious books)... and even that gets no special place.

i don't believe in giving ANY book a special place, other than the one i'm reading - which should merely be in arms reach.

I suppose as an athiest it's different. If Christians want me to treat the bible in such a way and Muslims want same for quran then I'd do it. If I owned it I would feel personally responsible.
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Re: Qur'an for Top Shelf in libraries
Reply #13 - March 12, 2009, 10:48 PM

Quote from: Calm on February 18, 2009, 02:44 PM
MSinghK,
Giving respect to anything should not be compulsary.

My question is why do religious followers demand respect from others? Plus, why is it our conditioning as if anyhting in religious nature should respected?

This. Bravo. We need to end the ridiculous notion that religion and religious beliefs automatically command steadfast and unquestioning respect!

"At 8:47 I do a grenade jump off a ladder."
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