The Student Room Group
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>

Oxford Uni Press bans use of pork-related words to avoid offending Muslims and Jews

[h="1"]Oxford University Press bans use of pig, sausage or pork-related words to avoid offending Muslims[/h][h="2"]The Oxford University Press guidelines emerge after a television discussion on free speech in the wake of the Paris attacks[/h]The Oxford University Press has warned its writers not to mention pigs, sausages or pork-related words in children's books, in an apparent bid to avoid offending Jews and Muslims.

The existence of the publisher's guidelines emerged after a television discussion on free speech in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, presenter Jim Naughtie said: "I've got a letter here that was sent out by OUP to an author doing something for young people.

"Among the things prohibited in the text that was commissioned by OUP was the following: Pigs plus sausages, or anything else which could be perceived as pork.

"Now, if a respectable publisher, tied to an academic institution, is saying you've got to write a book in which you cannot mention pigs because some people might be offended, it’s just ludicrous. It is just a joke."

Muslim Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: "I absolutely agree. That’s absolute utter nonsense. And when people go too far, that brings the whole discussion into disrepute."
The publishing rules have since been ridiculed amid doubts either Muslims or Jews would be offended by mention of farm animals in a children’s book.
Tory MP Philip Davies said: "How on earth can anyone find the word 'pig' or 'pork' offensive?
"No word is offensive. It is the context in which it is used that is offensive."
A spokesman for OUP said: "OUP's commitment to its mission of academic and educational excellence is absolute.
"Our materials are sold in nearly 200 countries, and as such, and without compromising our commitment in any way, we encourage some authors of educational materials respectfully to consider cultural differences and sensitivities."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11345369/Oxford-University-Press-bans-use-of-pig-sausage-or-pork-related-words-to-avoid-offending-Muslims.html

Scroll to see replies

That's it. I'm going to write a children's book about the Three Little Infidel Pigs and have it bound in bacon. Then there's no way it can possibly offend all the little Muslim boys and girls, because they can't open it!
Sounds really over the top. How many Muslims are really offended? The Muslims I know seem to have their own set of bacon themed in jokes.
Hmm if they want to go down that route for fear of offended some Muslims, shouldn't any books mentioning dogs in a positive light be banned too, as in say a kids book where his dog is his friend, that would surely be just as offensive, seeing as dogs are also thought of as dirty and owning one as a pet is also haram?

But yeah, ridiculous, I mean are say banning the mention of cows in case it offends Hindus? I mean a sacred animal being potentially mocked is surely more serious than an unclean animal being mentioned?
Original post by Harvey Dent
That's it. I'm going to write a children's book about the Three Little Infidel Pigs and have it bound in bacon. Then there's no way it can possibly offend all the little Muslim boys and girls, because they can't open it!


Have you hired an army yet?
Original post by joey11223
Hmm if they want to go down that route for fear of offended some Muslims, shouldn't any books mentioning dogs in a positive light be banned too, as in say a kids book where his dog is his friend, that would surely be just as offensive, seeing as dogs are also thought of as dirty and owning one as a pet is also haram?


They should ban The Bible and any mention of Christmas.

Original post by joey11223
But yeah, ridiculous, I mean are say banning the mention of cows in case it offends Hindus? I mean a sacred animal being potentially mocked is surely more serious than an unclean animal being mentioned?


There are no radical hindus going around killing Europeans.
Reply 6
Avatar for SHBK
SHBK
2
Original post by Quantex
Sounds really over the top. How many Muslims are really offended? The Muslims I know seem to have their own set of bacon themed in jokes.


I am a religious Muslim who aims to pray 5 times a day. I don't find pigs or sausages offensive in any way. Of course I wouldn't eat pork or touch it. But I can say pig and read pig and look at pigs. I wouldn't harm a pig. I would treat one with the most care I could give it. This is ridiculous. The majority of Muslims would not be offended by this. I think culture has twisted the interpretation Islam has given about issues including the pig.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 7
Avatar for SHBK
SHBK
2
Original post by joey11223
Hmm if they want to go down that route for fear of offended some Muslims, shouldn't any books mentioning dogs in a positive light be banned too, as in say a kids book where his dog is his friend, that would surely be just as offensive, seeing as dogs are also thought of as dirty and owning one as a pet is also haram?

But yeah, ridiculous, I mean are say banning the mention of cows in case it offends Hindus? I mean a sacred animal being potentially mocked is surely more serious than an unclean animal being mentioned?


Dogs are not thought of as dirty and they certainly are not haram to own as a pet. I'm 16 and I have owned 22 in my lifetime. And I am a Muslim who aims to pray 5 times a day.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Sounds like an onion article tbh, ridiculous move which seems like bending over backwards to appease a violent minority of Muslims, who probably couldn't care less about the word pig being printed, given the pig isn't revered like Mohammed (the rationale of the Paris attackers for their senseless brutality)
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by SHBK
Dogs are not thought of as dirty and they certainly are not haram to own as a pet. I'm 16 and I have owned 22 in my lifetime. And I am a Muslim who aims to pray 5 times a day.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Islam teaches its followers to be
merciful to all creatures , and all form of animal cruelty is forbidden. Why then, do many Muslims seems to have such a problem with dogs?[h="3"]Unclean[/h]Most Muslim scholars agree that the saliva of a dog is ritually impure, and that contact with a dog's saliva requires one to wash seven times. This ruling comes from the hadith:[INDENT]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him throw away whatever was in it and wash it seven times." (Reported by Muslim)[/INDENT]It is to be noted, however, that one of the major Islamic schools of thought (Maliki) indicates that its not a matter of ritual cleanliness, but simply a common-sense method way to prevent the spread of disease.There are several other hadith, however, which warn of consequences for dog-owners:
[INDENT]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever keeps a dog, his good deeds will decrease every day by one qeeraat (a unit of measurement), unless it is a dog for farming or herding." In another report, it is said: "... unless it is a dog for herding sheep, farming or hunting." (Reported by al-Bukhaari)[/INDENT][INDENT]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or an animate picture." (Reported by Bukhari)[/INDENT]Many Muslims base the prohibition against keeping a dog in one's home, except for the case of working or service dogs, on these traditions.[h="3"]Companion Animals[/h]Other Muslims argue that dogs are loyal creatures that are deserving of our care and companionship. They cite the story in the Quran (Surah 18) about a group of believers who sought shelter in a cave and were protected by their canine companion who was "outstretched in their midst."Also in the Quran, it is specifically mentioned that any prey caught by hunting dogs may be eaten -- without any need for further purification. Naturally, the prey of a hunting dog comes into contact with the saliva of the dog; however this does not render the meat "impure."
[INDENT]"They consult you concerning what is lawful for them; say, Lawful for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you. You train them according God's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention God's name thereupon. You shall observe God. God is most efficient in reckoning." -Quran 5:4[/INDENT]There are also stories in Islamic tradition that tell of people who were forgiven their past sins through the mercy they showed towards a dog.[INDENT]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that."[/INDENT][INDENT]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, "This dog is suffering from thirst as I did." So, he went down the well again and filled his shoe with water and watered it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him. (Reported by Bukhari)[/INDENT]In another point of Islamic history, the Muslim army came across a female dog and her puppies while on a march. The Prophet, peace be upon him, posted a soldier nearby her with the orders that the mother and puppies must not be disturbed.Based on these teachings, many people find that it is a matter of faith to be kind towards dogs, and that dogs can even be beneficial in the lives of human beings. Service animals, such as guide dogs or epilepsy dogs, are important companions to Muslims with disabilities. Working animals, such as guard dogs, hunting or herding dogs are useful and hard-working animals who have earned their place at their owner's side.
[h="3"]Middle Road of Mercy[/h]It is a fundamental tenet of Islam that everything is permissible, except those things that have been explicitly banned. Based on this, most Muslims would agree that it is permissible to have a dog for the purpose of security, hunting, farming, or service to the disabled.Many Muslims strike a middle ground about dogs -- allowing them for the purposes listed, but ensuring that the animals have their own space which does not overlap with human living spaces. Many would ensure that the dog is kept outdoors as much as possible, and at the very least is not allowed in areas where Muslims in the home pray. For hygienic reasons, when an individual comes into contact with dog saliva, one needs to wash.
Owning a pet is a huge responsibility, that Muslims will need to answer for on the Day of Judgment. Those who choose to have a dog must recognize the duty they undertake to provide food, shelter, training, exercise, and medical care for the animal. That said, most Muslims recognize that pets are not our "children," nor are they humans. One should keep things in perspective.
We must not let our misunderstandings about dogs lead us to neglect, mistreat, or harm them. The Quran describes pious people who had a dog living among them, and dogs are loyal and intelligent creatures that make excellent work and service animals. One must only be careful not to come into contact with the dog's saliva, and to keep its living area clean and away from any areas used for prayer.

http://islam.about.com/od/islamsays/a/Dogs-In-Islam.htm
Original post by Stiff Little Fingers
Sounds like an onion article tbh, ridiculous move which seems like bending over backwards to appease a violent minority of Muslims, who probably couldn't care less about the word pig being printed, given the pig isn't revered like Mohammed (the rationale of the Paris attackers for their senseless brutality)


Except this is legit and everywhere from the DM to this.
Original post by clh_hilary
Except this is legit and everywhere from the DM to this.


never said it wasn't legit, I said it's absurd enough to appear like satire.
Original post by Stiff Little Fingers
never said it wasn't legit, I said it's absurd enough to appear like satire.


Was stressing the sad state of the world we are living in.
in an apparent bid to avoid offending Jews and Muslims


Conviently missing out the Jew bit and focusing on the Muslim bit......

Secondly when you look at the story......it has no input from any Jews or Muslims nor any demand for it to be banned.

Its an issue to do with the people running the union.
On the mail there is a comment 'Nobody is offended it's just some overpaid jobsworth that thinks they are being clever but all it does is create bad feeling where none existed.'
I expect he is exactly right.
Reply 15
Avatar for Simes
Simes
16
Following the offending Hindus theme, they should remove references to all bovine creatures and become Ford University Press.
The thread title has been edited to match the cited source more accurately. This issue affects Jews as well as Muslims, as the source mentions twice, therefore it is wrong to target one religion in this thread whilst ignoring the other.
What a joke :s-smilie:
Sausage.

Pork.

Bacon.

(Am I racist now?)
Reply 19
Avatar for mkap
mkap
20
c'mon, even im Muslim and I think that's totally extreme. how would 'bacon butty' offend me. I even eat smoky bacon flavour crisp (obviously suitable for vegetarians). seriously

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you