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| Britain | |
| Britain slams suicide attack warning | |
| 2007-06-20 | |
Britain voiced “deep concern” on Tuesday at reported comments by Pakistani Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq suggesting that author Salman Rushdie’s knighthood could justify suicide attacks, as protests mounted. The expression of worry came as British Muslim leaders condemned the award for the Indian-born author as a “provocation”, but urged restraint from Muslims in this country, rather than the outpourings of anger in Pakistan.
“It is surprising that the British government is criticising me. I am the one who is heading the front-line ministry for the front-line state in the war against terrorism,” Haq told AFP. Haq said he had already withdrawn the comment, which he made in parliament on Monday, saying that he meant the knighthood could spark extremism. Meanwhile, Pakistan summoned Britain’s ambassador to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley had been called to receive a protest, High Commission spokesman Aidan Liddle told AFP without giving further details. Pakistan Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam confirmed that Brinkley had been summoned and said that he received a copy of resolutions passed by parliament against the knighthood. “The meeting has taken place. The high commissioner was called and he was given copies of resolutions passed. It was further conveyed to that Pakistan deplores and regrets the decision by the British government,” Aslam said. She said the award of the knighthood showed a “lack of sensitivity”. “He was told the decision by the British government was contrary to objectives to bring about harmony between the faiths. He was told that the people of Pakistan and Muslims all around the world resent this decision.” Brinkley issued a statement late on Monday defending the award and saying it was “simply untrue that this knighthood is intended as an insult to Islam or Prophet Mohammed.” “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,” Brinkley said. Meanwhile, legislators in the NWFP called for Pakistan to sever diplomatic ties with London over the Rushdi issue. In Lahore, around 150 hardline protesters torched an effigy of the British queen and called for Rushdi to be handed over to an Islamic court. “We want Rushdi to be handed over to Muslim country where he should be tried under Sharia law,” protest leader Shahid Gilani of the Shabab-e-Milli told the crowd. “The punishment for a blasphemer is death.” “We have also decided that we will from now on call every dog ‘Sir’,” he said. Meanwhile the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the main umbrella group of Islamic organisations, condemned Rushdie’s knighthood as a “provocation” but called for restraint from ordinary Muslims. Author Salman Rushdi said on Monday he was “thrilled and humbled” to be awarded a British knighthood. In a statement issued by his agent in New York, where he lives, Rushdie said, “I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honor and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way.” | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 That might be about time for some soccer hooliganism. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-06-20 17:54 |
| #6 whaddya gonna do about it excalibur? blog about it? While I cannot say for sure, I'd pay good money to see what happened immediately after you said that to his face. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-06-20 17:07 |
| #5 Nuke Pakistan, Britain, and I'll believe you mean what you say. Otherwise, you're a dhimmi, with little spine. I doubt Brown could do anything if he wanted to, and I doubt he wants to. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2007-06-20 15:07 |
| #4 Oh! Oh! |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-06-20 14:52 |
| #3 whaddya gonna do about it excalibur? blog about it? |
| Posted by: Jerese McCoy5255 2007-06-20 14:46 |
| #2 “It is surprising that the British government is criticising me. I am the one who is heading the front-line ministry for the front-line state in the war against terrorism,” Haq told AFP. And it's a bang up job you're doing, you little weasel. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-06-20 11:48 |
| #1 Watch for Friday after prayers indeed. And watch what happens if they burn another Union Jack. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-06-20 09:26 |