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| Rushdie title 'may spark attacks' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Britain's knighthood to the author Salman Rushdie contributes to insulting Islam and may lead to terrorism, a Pakistani minister has said. | |
| Such actions are the root cause of terrorism, Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq told parliament. | |
| "If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Muhammad, his act is justified." | |
| The minister later said he had not meant to condone or incite terrorism but stress its origins. | |
| Mr Ul Haq was speaking during a session of Pakistan's National Assembly during which it unanimously condemned Britain's award of a knighthood to the author Salman Rushdie and demanded it be withdrawn. | |
| A lower house resolution said honouring the author "hurt Muslim sentiments". | A lower house resolution said honouring the author "hurt Muslim sentiments". |
| Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses sparked protests by Muslims around the world and led to Iran issuing a fatwa in 1989, ordering his execution. | Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses sparked protests by Muslims around the world and led to Iran issuing a fatwa in 1989, ordering his execution. |
| Iran also criticised the knighthood, saying praising the "apostate" showed Islamophobia among British officials. | Iran also criticised the knighthood, saying praising the "apostate" showed Islamophobia among British officials. |
| A spokesman for the British High Commission in Islamabad would not comment on the parliamentary resolution, but he said the knighthood was a reflection of Mr Rushdie's contribution to literature throughout a long and diverse career. | A spokesman for the British High Commission in Islamabad would not comment on the parliamentary resolution, but he said the knighthood was a reflection of Mr Rushdie's contribution to literature throughout a long and diverse career. |
| 'Blasphemy' | 'Blasphemy' |
| Like Iran, Pakistan is an Islamic republic with an overwhelmingly Muslim population which saw violent protests against The Satanic Verses in 1989. | Like Iran, Pakistan is an Islamic republic with an overwhelmingly Muslim population which saw violent protests against The Satanic Verses in 1989. |
| Pakistan's parliamentary affairs minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, who proposed the resolution, said the knighthood would "encourage people to commit blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad". | Pakistan's parliamentary affairs minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, who proposed the resolution, said the knighthood would "encourage people to commit blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad". |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The religious bigots really need to get over the Satanic Verses Paul Gardner, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY The religious bigots really need to get over the Satanic Verses Paul Gardner, UK Send us your comments |
| Sir Salman, 59, was one of almost 950 people to appear on the Queen's Birthday Honours list, which is aimed at recognising outstanding achievement. | Sir Salman, 59, was one of almost 950 people to appear on the Queen's Birthday Honours list, which is aimed at recognising outstanding achievement. |
| The controversial Indian-born author's fourth book - The Satanic Verses in 1988 - describes a cosmic battle between good and evil and combines fantasy, philosophy and farce. | The controversial Indian-born author's fourth book - The Satanic Verses in 1988 - describes a cosmic battle between good and evil and combines fantasy, philosophy and farce. |
| It was immediately condemned by the Islamic world because of its perceived blasphemous depiction of the prophet Muhammad. | It was immediately condemned by the Islamic world because of its perceived blasphemous depiction of the prophet Muhammad. |
| It was banned in many countries with large Muslim communities and in 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's spiritual leader, issued a fatwa. | It was banned in many countries with large Muslim communities and in 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's spiritual leader, issued a fatwa. |
| In 1998, the Iranian government said it would no longer support the fatwa, but some groups have said it is irrevocable. | In 1998, the Iranian government said it would no longer support the fatwa, but some groups have said it is irrevocable. |
| The following year, Sir Salman returned to public life. | The following year, Sir Salman returned to public life. |
| Of his knighthood for services to literature, Rushdie said: "I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way." | Of his knighthood for services to literature, Rushdie said: "I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way." |
| Is Mr Rushdie's award an insult to Islam? Share your thoughts with us using the form below. | Is Mr Rushdie's award an insult to Islam? Share your thoughts with us using the form below. |