Why JK Rowling’s latest message on Twitter is so important

JK Rowling may specialize in the world of wizardry, but she has serious things to say about the real world too. The Harry Potter author spoke out on Twitter to fight against a rise of anti-Islamic feeling following the attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo by terrorists last week.

Here’s how it started: Rupert Murdoch, the business magnate and FOX News owner, tweeted an incendiary remark in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks:

The gist? All Muslims must bear responsibility for the actions of a select few extremists. It’s a sentiment that isn’t unusual but it is dangerous.  Rowling quite rightly took Murdoch to task for his statement on Twitter.

Right on, Rowling. Claiming that all Muslims should be held accountable for the actions of select extremists is ludicrous. And implying that the violence of the extremist jihadist few only affects non-Muslims is also ridiculous. The kind of brutal attack against free speech that occurred at the offices of Charlie Hebdo isn’t just a blow against the French or the West, it’s a blow against everyone, the Muslim world included.

Dividing the world between those who practice Islam and the rest of the world is exactly the aim of jihadist groups like those who attacked Charlie Hebdo. It’s important to note, as Rowling does, that violence like that benefits absolutely no one, no matter your beliefs.

(Image via)