This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6766569.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
UK envoy summoned in Rushdie row UK's 'deep concern' over Rushdie
(29 minutes later)
Pakistan has summoned the British high commissioner in Islamabad to its foreign ministry amid anger over the knighthood for author Salman Rushdie. The UK's ambassador to Pakistan has expressed "deep concern" over comments by a Pakistani minister about Sir Salman Rushdie's knighthood.
On Monday the national parliament demanded Britain withdraw the award. Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Ejaz ul-Haq had said the honour meant a risk of suicide attacks because Muslims believed Sir Salman had insulted Islam.
But High Commissioner Robert Brinkley said it was untrue that the knighthood was intended to insult Islam or the Prophet Mohammed. But High Commissioner Robert Brinkley said it was untrue that the knighthood was intended to insult Islam.
The publication of Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses in 1989 sparked protests by Muslims around the world. Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses in 1989 sparked protests around the world.
'Blasphemous book''Blasphemous book'
A spokesman said the high commissioner "made clear the British government's deep concern at what the minister for religious affairs was reported to have said".
"I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way Sir Salman Rushdie
"The British government is very clear that nothing can justify suicide bomb attacks," the spokesman added.
A fatwa against Sir Salman was issued in 1989 in Iran, calling for his execution.A fatwa against Sir Salman was issued in 1989 in Iran, calling for his execution.
"I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way Salman Rushdie Iranian conservatives on Tuesday criticised Britain's Queen Elizabeth over the decision to confer a knighthood on Mr Rushdie.
Iranian conservatives on Tuesday attacked Britain's Queen Elizabeth over the decision to confer a knighthood on Mr Rushdie. "Salman Rushdie has turned into a hated corpse which cannot be resurrected by any action," First Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar told Iran's parliament.
"Salman Rushdie has turned into a hated corpse which cannot be resurrected by any action," Mohammad Reza Bahonar, first deputy speaker of Iran's parliament, told the house. "The action by the British Queen in knighting Salman Rushdie, the apostate, is an unwise one," he said to loud applause from MPs.
"The action by the British queen in knighting Salman Rushdie, the apostate, is an unwise one," he said to loud applause from MPs.
"The British monarch lives under this illusion that Britain is still a 19th Century superpower and that bestowing titles is something still deemed important."
The knighthood has also been strongly condemned by the assembly of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province which described it as "a campaign waged in Europe and the West to hurt the feelings of Muslims".
The knighthood has generated anger across PakistanThe knighthood has generated anger across Pakistan
"The British monarch lives under this illusion that Britain is still a 19th Century superpower and that bestowing titles is something still deemed important."
The knighthood has also been strongly condemned by the assembly of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, which described it as "a campaign waged in Europe and the West to hurt the feelings of Muslims".
It urged the government to cut diplomatic ties with the UK.It urged the government to cut diplomatic ties with the UK.
The Pakistani foreign ministry said the decision to give Sir Salman the knighthood was "insensitive" and that it would convey these sentiments to the British government.The Pakistani foreign ministry said the decision to give Sir Salman the knighthood was "insensitive" and that it would convey these sentiments to the British government.
If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified Pakistan Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Ejaz ul-Haq
The knighthood has also been roundly condemned by many Pakistani politicians and media outlets, many of which have given the issue prominent coverage.The knighthood has also been roundly condemned by many Pakistani politicians and media outlets, many of which have given the issue prominent coverage.
The British High Commission in Islamabad moved to defuse the row on Monday night. On Monday Mr ul-Haq caused uproar in parliament when he was accused of inciting violence during a debate of Sir Salman's knighthood.
"Sir Salman's knighthood is a reflection of his contribution to literature throughout a long and distinguished career which has seen him receive international recognition for a substantial body of work," Mr Brinkley said in the statement. "If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
"It is simply untrue that this knighthood is intended as an insult to Islam or the Prophet Mohammed."
On Monday Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq caused uproar in parliament when he was accused of inciting violence during a debate of Sir Salman's knighthood.
"If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified," he said, according to the Reuters news agency.
Perceived blasphemyPerceived 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.
Sir Salman and his actress wife Padma Lakshmi
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.