The trial was uniquely carried out, in that there were 2 prosecutors, one each representing the priests and sheikh's court. In defence, Rahman stood for himself.
The crux of the proceedings may best be stated by way of quoted sections of speech made by the different players in this little game that ensued. For the sake of convenience, the prosecutors shall be referred to as P1, P2.Judge Masood: Opening statements, first by the prosecution.
P1 (standing up, exchanging a glance with P2): "If I may begin, this is a case of unprecedented stature and significance, for we have in front of us a man from an alien land, with a talent for a craft that surpasses human imagination. But even while he has fascinated all, including traders, children and far off royalty with his skill, his actions outside the potter's shop have been far from the diktats of socially acceptable living. He has been known to incite unrest in the minds of the peace loving people of Khemnuur, by means of ideas that go against the Holy Word. This is not a one off instance, rather something that has become synonymous with his presence. Finally, the prosecution would like to bring the attention of the court, to the single most compelling instance of his seething unholiness, the sight witnessed by the priests at a small hut in the nearby market region of Farakhi, only a week back. I would now hand over the floor to my esteemed colleague, P2."
P2: Thank you P1. The prosecution would now like to bring to the notice of the court, the charges of sedition and intrigue against the sheikh and his rule of law. As previously stated by P2, this man is known to spread ideas that are against the very fabric that underlies any social setup. His origins are unknown, and the motivations that drive his actions can only be imagined. He could be a spy from a distant kingdom, an agent directed to enter the social structure of our land, infest it with ideas that shall one day leave it hollowed out and empty. The truth appears rather dark in his case, and we hope to unravel the details in the course of proceedings here.
Judge Masood: The accused, and defendant, Mr. Rahman, you may now speak.
The public assembled in the room took a collective deep breath, for they knew that this statement would go a long way in determining the outcome of this case. All present were struck by how composed the man was, facing a trial which could cost him his life. Karim, seated on the second row could feel the tension building within him. With the judge asking Rahman to speak, all eyes moved to him, as did Karim's. And at that instant, he knew exactly what was to happen.
The smile that graced Rahman's face at that instant seemed singularly untouchable, with a sense of awareness and knowing that seemed to resonate with his surroundings, in a manner which lent the entire scene an air of surprising tranquility. It appeared as if the person of Rahman was in a bubble, deeply enmeshed yet inexorably insulated from the world, and from all that it wished to throw at him. Karim was the only one who saw this scene for what it truly was, with each passing moment spelling out a story that was reaching its conclusion.
With that, Rahman stood up, and started to speak.
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