Abu Hannah
Slave of Allah
Pakistan and Iran have condemned Britain's award of a knighthood to India-born author Salman Rushdie as an affront to Muslim sentiments, with Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman calling it "obvious proof of anti-Islamism by ranking British officials" and a Pakistani Cabinet minister saying the honor provided a justification for suicide attacks.
In the eastern city of Multan, Pakistan, hard-line Muslim students burned effigies of Queen Elizabeth II and Rushdie June 18. About 100 students carrying banners condemning the author also chanted, "Kill him! Kill him!"
On June 17, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said granting Britain's highest honor to Rushdie, whose novel "The Satanic Verses" sparked a death threat nearly a decade ago, insulted the Muslim world. His comments came during a time of especially tense relations between the Islamic republic and the West.
"Awarding a person who is among the most detested characters in the Islamic society is obvious proof of anti-Islamism by ranking British officials," Hosseini said at his weekly press conference.
In the eastern city of Multan, Pakistan, hard-line Muslim students burned effigies of Queen Elizabeth II and Rushdie June 18. About 100 students carrying banners condemning the author also chanted, "Kill him! Kill him!"
On June 17, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said granting Britain's highest honor to Rushdie, whose novel "The Satanic Verses" sparked a death threat nearly a decade ago, insulted the Muslim world. His comments came during a time of especially tense relations between the Islamic republic and the West.
"Awarding a person who is among the most detested characters in the Islamic society is obvious proof of anti-Islamism by ranking British officials," Hosseini said at his weekly press conference.