Poem of the Day: Thus spoke Satan by Charl Landsberg

The story in the Satanic Verses [by Salman Rushdie] begins with Gibreel and Saladin falling from an exploded aeroplane, Gibreel having taken on the spirit of the Archangel Gabriel/Jibril and Saladin having taken on the spirit of Satan/Shaitan. Saladin remains jealous and spiteful towards Gibreel throughout the story. Gibreel is treated with respect and Saladin is treated with suspicion. Saladin drives Gibreel to commit suicide eventually among other things. Given that the story is loosely based on the story of Mohammed, it can be understood why this story caused so much outrage in a world in which Mohammed is seen as the perfect prophet.

Gabriel in Hebrew means God is my strength
Charl Landsberg is a South African Poet and Musician who is deeply passionate about human rights and activism, with poetry and songs that criticize abuse and issues surrounding sexism, homophobia, classism, child abuse, substance abuse, stigma and discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS, etc. Landsberg also focusses on issues of religion and atheism, having studied biblical studies and theology at post graduate level.