This matter has been widely reported across the media spectrum, Andy, from the Daily Mail to the Guardian and the BBC. All the reports say much the same thing. I don’t think it is being reported simply to fan the flames of Muslim hatred.
I thought I recalled a similar incident involving President Rohani occurring before Christmas and it seems I was right:
http://www.france24.com/en/20151110-france-iran-president-rouhani-objects-french-wine-paris-visit
The circumstances seem almost identical (so much so, in fact, I had to check the item out in case it was referring to the latest debacle). I’m still confused though because this latest report refers to the current trip as Mr Rohani’s first state visit.
Anyway, no matter. I don’t believe Linda or I (or anybody else) have been manipulated by the media. The reports I have read seem consistent. My view is that many Muslims are indeed intransigent and backward-looking, If they want to do deals on the world stage they must appreciate that not everybody shares their customs and values and that when visiting other countries they may encounter things that they may not find to their taste (which others visiting them certainly do). This they seem singularly unable to do. As I said earlier, if a non-Muslim visited a Muslim country and demanded wine with his dinner he would – quite rightly - receive very short shrift. There would be no talk of a compromise and it certainly would not make the headlines.