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Good morning It's a relief to hear that Salman Rushdie’s condition is improving and he's come off his ventilator, but doctors warn that his injuries are serious and possibly life changing. Over the weekend I’ve seen some people celebrating what happened, saying that the perpetrator should be congratulated. I’ve found this to be very disturbing. Others, while expressing sorrow that someone has been injured, have questioned why we even need to talk about it at all, saying that time has passed since the original book and that we need to move on. Salman Rushdie himself has said security concerns had lessened in recent years and that he wanted to move on and not always only be associated with that book. I do think we need to continue to have conversations about the importance of freedom of speech, and also about why some are offended by certain things, what role society as a whole can play in defining and shaping this and how we can better understand different views. But authors, musicians, actors, activists, should never be made to feel unsafe or intimidated into silence. For many Muslims, especially women I have spoken to over the weekend, there is concern about the predictable backlash, the possible damage to community cohesion, the stereotypes and assumptions that will once again be aimed at Muslims as we are put under the spotlight again for the actions of one man. But some people also fear speaking out and showing empathy towards the author and what he is going through. We have already seen death threats in response to those doing that. In the Qur’an God says “Bear their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us” This was a direct response from God to the persecution being faced by Muhammad in the early years of his Prophethood. He was treated harshly, called a liar, a sorcerer, a fake. But he consistently reminded his followers to be patient, to not react harshly or violently, to remain calm. The love for Prophet Muhammad is beautiful and an important part of many peoples’ lives but that love for him should never turn into violence or even the threat of violence by those saying they are defending his honour. As we continue to watch what happens next, I stand with those who are calling for calm, who want to protect freedom of speech, to work with allies from all backgrounds, to remind ourselves that however upset we may feel about what someone has said, done or written - violence or the threat of violence will never be the right way to react.