Nearly 500 years after the Scottish Reformation, Edinburgh Still Discriminates Based on Religion

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The cover image for my forthcoming book, What Every Christian Needs to Know About Islam, unfortunately reveals that discrimination is alive and well in Scotland, not having changed much in several hundred years.

My book is the first of a five-part series designed to educate, equip, and encourage Christians in America (and citizens in general) about Islamic ideology and the rich Christian history that existed in pre-Islamic Arabia. I uncovered a copy of Near Asian artwork c. AD 1307, which depicts Jesus’s baptism in the River Jordan.

The painting is from The Chronology of Ancient Nations, which the famous astronomer and polymath, Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni, compiled and completed in AD 1000. The Chronology contains a vast number of calendars, chronological systems, festivals, and liturgical practices of many cultural and religious people who lived during the late antique and medieval periods in the Hellenistic, Central Asian, and Near Eastern regions.

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Part of an AD 1307 copy of the Chronology is held in the special collections division of my alma mater’s library, the University of Edinburgh. I requested permission, which was initially granted, to use the image. (Jesus’s appearance is markedly Near Asian (Persian/Indian) in style, as are other details, like the falcon (not a dove), Jesus’s shoes, and John the Baptist’s appearance and distinctive halo.)

The library staff sent me a link to download the high-res image for publication. Once I opened the link, I scrolled through the document (text is in Arabic) and discovered other beautiful images. I asked permission to possibly use three others for my book, and was required to revise and submit a new form. These images depict the annunciation of Mary (Jesus’s mother), Muhammad and his family addressing Najrani Christians, and Muhammad installing Ali as his successor.

The paintings are extraordinary in color, scope, and preservation. I was ecstatic about the connection between my alma mater and artwork that I would use in my first book of a series. More than ten years ago, I attended New College, the School of Divinity, at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I spent most of my time on the Mound, a stone’s throw from the castle, and steps from where Scottish Reformer John Knox, is believed to have lived during the 1560-era Protestant Reformation.

Scotland’s history is rich with centuries of people quite literally giving their lives to ensure that freedom of conscience, speech, and religion could become a reality. Centuries after the Protestant Reformation, Edinburgh became the center of the Enlightenment — its literary giants are unrivaled; some of the greatest western authors, historians, and political leaders, lived and worked in the city where I earned my degree.

Which is why the anti-academic, unenlightened, and discriminatory response I received from the library’s special collections unit director was so disappointing. Dr. Joseph Marshall, Head of Special Collections, emailed that I did not have permission to use any of the Al-Biruni images. I asked him why not, and below are excerpts of our email correspondence.

The first reason he gave for rescinding permission was:

These images are only available for use in academic research publications, e.g. a scholarly history of Persian art.  The forthcoming publication you describe on the form does not appear to fall into this category.

 In response, I clarified that my book has over 300 footnotes, it covers Aramaic, Arabic, old-Syriac, Hebrew, and transliterations of these languages into their English meanings. I added:

… my book has several sections that interweave various aspects of culture to describe pre-Islamic Arabia. In one chapter a sub section describes the magnificent artwork of the Babylonian, Persian, Egyptian, and Ugarit periods. Most of the images I use are from museums that have provided images of specific objects that are in the public domain. Some of the sculptures are of Egyptian gods, tablets, books, and the Persian artwork of religious leaders is part of this context. Another chapter addresses how Jesus and Muhammad and other prophets were portrayed in ancient artwork, especially within the context of the overview I provide about the Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian, and civilizations before them. All of the artwork I use as figures and exhibits in the book is integral to depicting the culture, religion, and society of direct importance to helping Christians in America understand a huge subject about which they are largely unfamiliar. Much of Christian history is rooted in Persian history, which includes artwork about historical and biblical accounts, especially from this specific book written by a famous astrologer who chronicled this history.

(Note: I inaccurately referred to Al-Baruni as an astrologer; he was an astronomer.)

Then Dr. Marshall gave a second reason for rescinding:

No-one is questioning your own scholarly credentials, it is the nature of the publication which is a concern.  The title “What every Christian needs to know about Islam” by Xulon Press clearly suggests a work of controversy which deals with the current truth claims of different religions. We do not allow these images to be used in such a context, as that creates risk to both the original manuscripts and to the library staff who look after them.

To which I replied:

The image used for the cover is of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. The second is of the annunciation, which is of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the angel Gabriel. The first image I was already granted permission to use. Otherwise I never would have been sent the link to download the image. I did not know that three other images existed.

The two images of Jesus and Mary respectively are more important to the book and do not contain any images of Muhammad. Are you now telling me that Jesus being baptized is too controversial to use when it wasn’t too controversial to use last week?

… But the underlying issue is not the historical work to be used to educate.

If the images were of Buddha would they be too controversial to use?

You are changing the terms first stated and still discriminating based on false information. The content is scholarly with over 300 footnotes.

Again, scholarly and Persian art is apparently not the criteria. You have an issue with a title of a book, which is discriminatory. Book 2 is what every American needs to know… does that mean you’d refuse because you think Americans are too controversial? If I told you I was an atheist would that make a difference? If I were a Muslim would I be refused permission?

Is the university afraid it will be sued because you are afraid of people finding out that images of Muhammad are historical and not available to the public?

One point of education is to clarify error that causes controversy. You work for an educational facility that educates about all religions, about which I discuss a minimum of 5, and received a degree from this university.

Then, yet another:

As I have indicated, on the basis of the evidence available, we do not feel that inclusion of our images in this this publication is necessary or appropriate. Therefore we are not willing for any restricted images owned by the University of Edinburgh to appear in this publication. 

We do not accept the suggestion that there is any discrimination against any religion in this decision. 

If the criteria includes the title, the Christian publisher, the Christian author, and the potential Christian audience, then the official position of the university is that Jesus Christ, the reason for Christianity’s existence, is not “necessary or appropriate” for a book about Christianity and Islam.

Let that sink in.

In 2004-2005, the university had no problem charging me the second highest rate to earn a degree in theology. Now it is stating that my degree, my faith, and my interest in educating others about it, including using an ancient painting of Jesus, are neither “necessary” nor “appropriate.”

(When I attended the university, students from Asia and America paid more for the same tuition than students from the EU, African or other countries. Native Scots pay nothing. The University of Edinburgh primarily relies on foreign students to pay higher fees in order to keep its doors open. It began a policy of restricting Scottish students many years ago primarily because its socialized education system does not work. Less Scots have access to higher education as a result.)

Since the book discusses religion and uses an image of Jesus that Dr. Marshall states is neither “necessary” nor “appropriate,” will the university refund my tuition?

Better yet, perhaps the university should eliminate New College altogether? There’s no point in getting a degree in religion if you can’t write about it or use a resource from the university’s library. The university can also avoid controversy by eliminating all books, images, audio-visual, and anything else that depicts Jesus.

Better still — eliminate the library, and all books related to Jesus and Christianity. If the library’s purpose is not to educate — through access to knowledge gained from books — then what purpose does it serve?

Sadly, in 2017 Dr. Marshall appears to have the same mindset as the Nazi bureaucrats who banned and burned books. He, and those like him, tarnishes the university’s reputation with such cowardice. A university, which used to cherish higher learning, advancement of knowledge, access to information, and collaboration among people who fearlessly seek to expose the truth, appears to no longer exist.

As a result, I decided to illustrate the cover image myself. I primarily used watercolor on parchment paper, incorporating pastels and ink. Al-Biruni’s images of Jesus and Muhammad represent only a handful of Near Asian artistic depictions left that are preserved at several museums. I plan to replicate many of them and make them accessible to the public, hoping that increased exposure will lead to greater understanding and awareness.

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RCCA
RCCA
6 years ago

It’s possible that the school does not want their collection advertised to a larger audience because of the increased costs for security resulting from being associated with a book critical of Islam. They said that in so many words: “… as that creates risk to both the original manuscripts and to the library staff who look after them.” You can criticize them for that, but not for anything else such as discrimination, etc.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago
Reply to  RCCA

Yep….true. But isn’t that how Hitler got his strength? People fearing reprisals and violence….and they ended up in the worst violence that started a World War…..

RCCA
RCCA
6 years ago
Reply to  ladywarrior

Hitler gained power because the majority of people believed in him and agreed with him.

Sgtsnuffy
Sgtsnuffy
6 years ago

EXCELLENT !!!! THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ALL SUPPOSED CENTERS OF HIGHER LEARNING . THE OLD ACADEMICS OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS WOULD BE AGHAST AT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE VERY UNIVERSITIES THEY HELPED ESTABLISH .

RCCA
RCCA
6 years ago
Reply to  Sgtsnuffy

That’s only partially true. Academies in the past have also kept certain knowledge and materials reserved for scholars and not available to the general public. Certain scholars (like Kaballists and Vedic Masters and even the Catholic church) have kept their esoteric knowledge and materials secret and only shared with worthy initiates for fear of their knowledge being misused. The concept of universal public education which we have now is more recent, and obviously we see how that has become a tool of indoctrination rather than enlightenment, as you have said.

marlene
marlene
6 years ago
Reply to  RCCA

Hmm. I found everything I need to know, and more, about the Kaballists – in the library, internet and journals.

RCCA
RCCA
6 years ago
Reply to  marlene

LOL I’m assuming you are being sarcastic. That’s exactly what I am saying, that you might know bits and pieces about Kabbalah, but you wouldn’t know how to experience the various subtle states of experience. You wouldn’t know what to do with it.
Kind of like fake news, only call it fake knowledge. Kind of like trying to learn how to drive a car but you don’t have access to a car.

lostlegends
lostlegends
6 years ago

Totalitarians at work, business as usual. They need to be responded to with force.

Achmed Mohammedan
Achmed Mohammedan
6 years ago

I am simply wondering …. ” …These images depict the annunciation of Mary (Jesus’s mother), Muhammad and his family addressing Najrani Christians, and Muhammad installing Ali as his successor.” With pictures of mohammed (satan’s lowest and MOST COWARDLY demon) … then a reference, within the first denial of use, of ” … as that creates risk to both the original manuscripts and to the library staff who look after them”

Thinking of what happened to Charlie Hebdo and the Garland, Tx Free Speech event …. You don’t suppose that the denial is based upon fear? Images of mohammed and all ….

Kat Mandu
Kat Mandu
6 years ago

Take a pill, you have no idea of what you are talking about. Also, learn to spell.

Achmed Mohammedan
Achmed Mohammedan
6 years ago
Reply to  Kat Mandu

What is misspelled, oh ye descendant of the cross-breeding of monkeys and pigs?

Trump can't ban islam
Trump can't ban islam
6 years ago

islam belongs in the west now. it’s better not to provoke muslims

Achmed Mohammedan
Achmed Mohammedan
6 years ago

Within less than a decade, there will not be one single moslem left alive.

David Glynn
David Glynn
6 years ago

DEATH TO ISLAM!

notislam
notislam
6 years ago

Not only does criminal-Islam need to be provoked it needs to be CRUSHED by any and all infidels who carry weapons what ever they may be. It needs to be destroyed -starting at the TOP -there are mullahs and imams and mosques that are about war and more war -destroy them and then the rest of the criminals to indeed carry out their pogroms against any and all infidels. Nazi Islam is just that and the traitors within our own governments -need reprisal as well.

pipo
pipo
6 years ago
Reply to  notislam

First pay attention to our own traitors, the muzzrats will be begging for forgiveness when we start on them. The time is coming very soon.

veryneat
veryneat
6 years ago

You have nailed it. He is a coward afraid of the violent, irrational reactions of the adherents of the religion of peace.

Tree Feathers
Tree Feathers
6 years ago

They were fearful … of backlash. They could bear to face criticism and ridicule for their VERY LAME excuses, and actions (refusal) but not (presumed) actual physical violence, and attacks. They don’t feel any security or safety from this … anywhere.

Emmett
Emmett
6 years ago
Reply to  Tree Feathers

IF YOU DON’T IMPORT THE WORTHLESS mOSLEM GARBAGE FROM THEIR SHITHOLES , THEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT jIHAD !

poetcomic1
poetcomic1
6 years ago

Dear Pamela,
Don’t you EVER just get TIRED of the cowards, idiots, sell-outs and virtue-signalers? You are like the Duracell Rabbit of Anti-Sharia. Please, please don’t stop.

Jackie Puppet
Jackie Puppet
6 years ago

Glad to see the author is at least replicating the artwork, so the school can’t stop the book from being published and sold on the mass market. I was gonna recommend to just go ahead with the other pics, and beg forgiveness later.

Poppey
Poppey
6 years ago
Reply to  Jackie Puppet

Beg ?

Jackie Puppet
Jackie Puppet
6 years ago
Reply to  Poppey

Beg forgiveness for going ahead & publishing the book with the pictures without permission.

Poppey
Poppey
6 years ago

I fully understand Miss Blankley’s frustration at her rebuttal, the attitude of that “Dr Marshall” is an outrage to all who seek higher learning and the freedom to inquire after the truth. The fellow must have obtained his qualification by having the right number of box tops from Kellogs. Too much of British” education” is cursed this way now.

I met this kind of deeply offensive PC dogma posturing as concern last November at my sons old school.

I published the correspondence, to and fro, for all concerned to read, just like this lady. The result was explosive.

When there is a stink about the place, spread disinfectant and push in the windows. Challenge them.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago
Reply to  Poppey

Bravo!

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
6 years ago

Dr. Marshall appears to be a pseudo intelligentsia shill, not a scholar at all, nothing more than a grubbing snake oil salesman of “fake” research. If something cannot be looked at and discussed by the general public, it is because it is phoney, which will be discovered and ridiculed if it ever does get displayed. Legitimate scholars do not hide their work.

marlene
marlene
6 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

A priceless truth. Thank you, Mahou.

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
6 years ago
Reply to  marlene

Thank you.

Kat Mandu
Kat Mandu
6 years ago

Protesters took to the streets of Vienna on Saturday and called for members of the Austria’s new right wing government to be boycotted by the rest of Europe.

Around 20,000 people according to police estimates gathered to protest against the new coalition government which includes the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which was founded by former Nazis.

READ MORE: https://www.trtworld.com/europe/thousands-protest-against-austrian-government-s-shift-to-the-right-14203

Emmett
Emmett
6 years ago
Reply to  Kat Mandu

NAZIS ARE COLLECTIVIST, THEREFORE THEY ARE LEFT- WING ! Now Senator Byrd was a grand dragoon of the KKK , and then he became majority leader as a democrat and mentor to Hillary Clinton !

smaragdus
smaragdus
6 years ago
Reply to  Emmett

You are right, Fascism and Nazism are left:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bSsaVL6gA

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago
Reply to  smaragdus

Ergo, the violent Antifa formed by the Far Left violent Dimms….who are reported to now being trained by radical Muslims on how to kill people here in America “who disagree with them” according to a statement by Antifa….

We here in Vegas figured out real quick that the mass Murderer Paddock was Antifa….the reason the “authorities” have gone totally silent on the massacre…..

Achmed Mohammedan
Achmed Mohammedan
6 years ago
Reply to  ladywarrior

May have been antifa, but … isis has never lied, when bragging about one of its own. He was, most certainly, a moslem.

BillD
Bill
6 years ago

There’s two lessons to be learned here. The second is that socialized (free) schooling does not work. (Hey, Bernie fans, pay attention!)….. Also. Schools get paid by having AISes (a^^es in seats). They’ll teach 1000’s of kids how to do something, knowing there’s only 10 slots open in the real world marketplace.
The first, why have educational stuff that scholars will not let the people see? A.) Their views are counter to the material represented.

marlene
marlene
6 years ago
Reply to  Bill

Good point.

Andy_Lewis
Andy_Lewis
6 years ago

Dr. Marshall’s second reply is actually quite honest in revealing his true motive (my bolding)::

we do not allow these images to be used in such a context, as that creates risk to both the original manuscripts and to the library staff who look after them.

That says it all.

marlene
marlene
6 years ago
Reply to  Andy_Lewis

That’s just a poor excuse.

Andy_Lewis
Andy_Lewis
6 years ago
Reply to  marlene

It is that. But it’s also an admission of their fear of violent retaliation by Muslims.

Emmett
Emmett
6 years ago

SAID THE AMBULANCE CHASER !

felix1999
felix1999
6 years ago

“If the criteria includes the title, the Christian publisher, the Christian author, and the potential Christian audience, then the official position of the university is that Jesus Christ, the reason for Christianity’s existence, is not “necessary or appropriate” for a book about Christianity and Islam.”

WOW! Jesus Christ is the reason for the existence of Christianity.
How can that be DENIED to a CHRISTIAN AUDIENCE? The book is about BOTH – Islam and Christianity! This guy has NO LOGIC and very defensive and protective of ISLAM.

felix1999
felix1999
6 years ago

Afraid of offending Muslims….
They are already SUBMITTING.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago
Reply to  felix1999

Sharia law has gone Global….

James McConnell
James McConnell
6 years ago

I would be more than happy to assist with illustrations. I am a Forensic Illustrator, lots of experience. I’ve been reading a lot of Scottish/ Irish History. Recently found a name John MaqHannell one of the COVENANTERS 1664

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago

How wonderful of you. I hope she contacts you. :0)

Michelle
Michelle
6 years ago

What did anyone expect from a leftist academic? No matter what their qualifications, their politics determine their actions/. Just another one for the future scaffold IMO. as we MUST remove the traitors first.

jay
jay
6 years ago

At least in the United States copyright law, I believe you have the right to use the image no matter what they say. Neither the university, its libraries, nor Dr. Marshall own the copyright, no one does, it is not copyrightable in the United States anyway.

Daniel FX Dravot
Daniel FX Dravot
6 years ago

“Therefore we are not willing for any restricted images owned by the University of
Edinburgh to appear in this publication.”

How are those images the property of the University? They aren’t. The University may be the custodian, but not the owner.

One argument is that they are in the public domain, much like any of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of President Washington.

John Forbes
John Forbes
6 years ago

This is really extraordinary in that CENSORSHIP is being applied in University Libraries?
Should be stated WORLD WIDE to show just how far the CENSORSHIP has travelled while we have all been lulled to sleep!

veryneat
veryneat
6 years ago
Reply to  John Forbes

Your reply has made me wonder if a copy of this rare book is available through the Library of congress or any other major university. The author of the article should try to locate another copy of the volume….the Vatican Library?

Frankfrankly
Frankfrankly
6 years ago

Absolutely wonderful and fascinating-lots of beautiful material material to study so thank you for making us aware of it. Ironic that an academic institution wants to prevent that.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago
Reply to  Frankfrankly

They are no longer “academic” institutions….they are all now “indoctrination” institutions….Fascism is alive and well all over the globe…..

Voltaire — “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.”

marlene
marlene
6 years ago
Reply to  ladywarrior

SPOT ON!

David Glynn
David Glynn
6 years ago

The pro Islam attitude in Scotland starts with the SNP (Scottish national party) and filters down through the university’s, local government etc.
The SNP are known to bend over backwards for Muslims rights and demanding the British government allows in ever more refugees which they give free housing and regular money. There was a newspaper report not so long ago that comes to mind when several Muslim refugee families were given free housing on a beautiful Scottish isle without the consultation or say so of the indigenous inhabitants, and the refugees despite receiving no animosity decided it wasn’t good enough for them and demanded to be moved.
Which of course they were and given housing elsewhere.
I can only sympathise with the Scottish people for putting up with the Libtard Quisling SNP hopefully for the last time.
PROSCRIBE ISLAM IN THE UK!

jay
jay
6 years ago

I say once again: The illustration can be used without legal consequence, at least in the United States. It is an imaged created long ago, and is not copyrightable.

jay
jay
6 years ago

THE IMAGE CAN BE USED! IT IS NOT COPYRIGHTABLE. At least under United States law, there is no issue. Neither the university, its libraries, or Dr. Marshall have any ownership of it.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
6 years ago

Dear Ms. Blankley, it’s people like you and Pamela who just keep telling the truth – at great risk. You both inspire me to keep on with the task I have been left with due to elder abuse of my Father. I am going to Court in a few weeks against a very corrupt Southern Town and relatives. It will require a lot of courage and resolve for justice for my Father.

Do not stop what you are doing and do not listen to naysayers. I’ll be watching for your book. My God protect and keep you.

marlene
marlene
6 years ago

Thank you, again, Pamela Geller, for your fine investigative journalism. Sharing it with us is a privilege I greatly appreciate. There is no better website for an honest study of islam. We learn – to live.

pipo
pipo
6 years ago

I did not know Scotland had an university

TEA-&-BISKITS
TEA-&-BISKITS
6 years ago

it’s Birune – not baruni.

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
6 years ago

Sometimes it seems that almost all of Western Europe is fallen in some way or another.

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