Umbrella

Independent, 4 January 2002. 390 108 Among the physical assaults registered by the Islamic Human Rights Commission are a great number of cases where Muslims or people believed to be Muslims397 have been pushed, shoved, spat at, hit with umbrellas or pelted with eggs or rotten fruit. In a particularly humiliating manner, many Muslim women have had their headscarves forcibly pulled off or had alcohol thrown at them. Several cases involving grave violence, such as attacks with bats or other

of Persia. Seated under a tree by the wayside he noticed a hideous old man, with a long white moustache, and beard that almost fell to his feet. His nails had grown to an enormous length, and on his head he wore a huge hat, which served him for an umbrella. Prince Bahman, who, remembering the directions of the old woman, had been since sunrise on the look-out for some one, recognised the old man at once to be a dervish. He dismounted from his horse, and bowed low before the holy man, saying by way

drinks with strangers, We have fallen so low, so low. The first to whom I offered it Looked away contemptuously, The second one took flight and runs On still, while screaming out for help If the third swiped me ‘cross the face With a swing of her umbrella The fourth one, that was nastier, Went off to get a policeman. With the self-same bottle of wine Consecrated, vintage divine, T’was the cops that wet their whistle A real scandal! For, nowadays it’s ludicrous Without being a weirdo, you can’t Give