Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq, who caused outrage in the UK by remarking that author Salman RushdieÂ’s knighthood justified suicide attacks, said on Thursday that he is set to visit Britain next month.
| Gosh. I hope he doesn't explode or something. |
Mr Haq made the comment about The Satanic Verses author in parliament on Monday but later withdrew his words, insisting that he meant to say the award would foster extremism. “Yes, I may travel to Britain next month as a British delegation has invited me to guide them on how to engage khateebs and imams in a constructive dialogue,” he told AFP. The 52-year-old minister said the schedule of his visit was not finalised but that it would give him an opportunity to better convey his point of view. “The visit would also help clear many things and misunderstandings about my remarks about the knighting of Salman Rushdie by Britain,” he added. The British delegation met Mr Haq on Monday and included representatives from Britain’s Home Office and Foreign Office with responsibility for engaging with the Islamic world and preventing extremism, he said. The British HC in Islamabad was not immediately available for comment. |
