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UK's 'deep concern' over Rushdie UK's 'deep concern' over Rushdie
(20 minutes later)
The UK's envoy to Pakistan has expressed "deep concern" over comments by a Pakistani minister about Sir Salman Rushdie's knighthood.The UK's envoy to Pakistan has expressed "deep concern" over comments by a Pakistani minister about Sir Salman Rushdie's knighthood.
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. Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Ejaz ul-Haq's comments were widely seen as justifying suicide attacks because Sir Salman had insulted Islam.
But High Commissioner Robert Brinkley said it was untrue that the knighthood was intended to insult Islam.But High Commissioner Robert Brinkley said it was untrue that the knighthood was intended to insult Islam.
Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses sparked worldwide protests in 1989. Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses in sparked worldwide protests in 1989.
'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". Mr Brinkley was summoned to the Pakistani foreign ministry in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesman for Mr Brinkley said he "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 Your reaction: emails from around the world 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 Your reaction: emails from around the world
"The British government is very clear that nothing can justify suicide bomb attacks," the spokesman added."The British government is very clear that nothing can justify suicide bomb attacks," the spokesman added.
Mr Brinkley was summoned so that Pakistan could protest against Britain's "utter lack of sensitivity" in knighting Sir Salman, the foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
Mr Brinkley was told that the honour countered attempts by both countries to build mutual understanding.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the diplomatic row is heated but that so far it has stayed mostly within official circles.
Pakistan's national parliament passed a resolution on Monday condemning the award. The assembly of the North West Frontier Province passed a similar resolution on Tuesday.
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
There have been some street protests but only by small numbers of hard line Islamist activists.
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.
Iranian conservatives on Tuesday criticised Britain's Queen Elizabeth over the decision to confer a knighthood on Mr Rushdie. Iranian conservatives on Tuesday criticised Britain's Queen Elizabeth over the decision to confer the 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," First Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar told Iran's parliament.
"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 knighthood has generated anger in 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 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.
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.
On Monday Mr 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 Reuters news agency.
Perceived blasphemyPerceived blasphemy
On Monday Religious Affairs Minister Eijaz ul-Haq caused uproar in Pakistan's parliament when he was accused of inciting violence during a debate of Sir Salman's knighthood.
The knighthood has generated anger in Pakistan
"If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
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, 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, 60, 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.