New Anger Erupts in Muslim Countries at Rushdie Honour

Jun 22, 10:06 AM

Current Headlines: Media review from BBC Monitoring 22 June 2007

Britain's knighthood for Salman Rushdie has been attacked again in Muslim countries during Friday prayers, with a cleric in Tehran recalling that the fatwa against Mr Rushdie remains in force.

The prayer leader in Egypt said the novelist would get a "medal in hell", while the Afghan Taleban called him "the cursed devil whose killing is a duty".

There was also fierce criticism from MPs and newspapers in Pakistan, which has been prominent in condemning the award, but a Saudi paper said the Muslim world had more important problems to think about.

SEYYED AHMAD KHATAMI AT FRIDAY PRAYERS ON IRAN RADIO

In Islamic Iran the Fatwa of the Great Imam [Ayatollah Khomeyni] is very much in force and irrevocable... The old and decaying government of Britain ought to know that the mythical era of colonial power has well gone... You Britain will not achieve anything. What you have gained, instead, is the rage of Islam

AHMAD UMAR HASHIM AT FRIDAY PRAYERS ON EGYPTIAN AL-MISRIYAH TV

If those who have no conscience honoured this sinful devil and this vicious unjust person and gave him a medal, it is a medal in hell.

TALEBAN STATEMENT ON JIHADIST WEBSITE

We strongly condemn and denounce this action by Britain which deliberately targets Muslims... We hope that Muslims will force the British government to apologize, to withdraw the honorary title from the cursed devil, whose killing is a duty.

PAKISTANI PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

The British government and prime minister has not only disappointed the Pakistani nation but also has hurt its feelings... This house again demands that Britain immediately withdraw the title and apologize.

PAKISTAN MP KHAWAJA SA'AD RAFIQ IN CAPTION ON ARY ONE WORLD TV

Whoever kills Rushdie will be a hero for Muslims.

PAKISTAN PEOPLE'S PARTY IN CAPTION ON ARY ONE WORLD TV

We condemn both Salman Rushdie and suicide bombings; the federal minister Eijaz-ul-Haq has given the wrong impression to foreign countries by declaring suicide bombings legitimate.

PAKISTAN'S ISLAM NEWSPAPER

The UK has tried to deceive 1.5 billion Muslims, which is a shameful and condemnable act. It is surprising that, since the publication of Rushdie's book, no Muslim country has ended diplomatic ties with the UK or even lodged a strong protest.

PAKISTAN OBSERVER

Freedom of expression does not mean insulting others and mocking their values and beliefs. The title has been given on the recommendation of the prime minister who is known for his anti- Muslim credentials.

PAKISTAN'S KHABRAIN

There is no doubt that Britain's knighthood for damned Rushdie is a manifestation of its animosity to Islam... The West is deliberately creating situations that earn it increased hatred... Muslim countries should try to get a law that punishes such offences adopted at the international level.

PAKISTAN'S JINNAH

Although Britain did issue an apology, it did not withdraw the knighthood... They know that the Muslim world is not strong enough to get its demands accepted. It is also a fact that Muslims can't do anything except voice protests, set things on fire, go on the rampage, and damage their own property.

PAKISTAN'S JASARAT

The government of Pakistan is focusing on the statement by Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, despite the fact that he has clarified it. Thus the perpetrator of blasphemy is not being viewed as a culprit, but concern is being expressed about the statement by a minister that he has almost withdrawn.

SINDH PROVINCE CHIEF MINISTER ARBAB GHULAM RAHIM

I will now return these [titles given to his ancestors by Britain] as no Muslim can accept any title from the Queen after she honoured Salman Rushdie.

INDIAN KASHMIR REBEL GROUP HEZB-UL-MUJAHEDEEN

Awarding a knighthood to Rushdie amounts to blatant anti-Muslim bias, and Muslims all over the world condemn the move.

INDONESIAN CLERIC TARMIZI TAHER ON ANTARA NEWS AGENCY

Powerful countries cannot do as they like, or say anything under the cover of freedom of expression... Dialogues between civilizations and on peace and equality are proving to be mere lip service.

INDONESIAN MUSLIM ACADEMIC ZANNUBA ARIFAH CHAFSOH ON ANTARA NEWS AGENCY

We deeply regret and strongly criticize the knighthood... But we cannot revoke his right to express his views. Even those who do not believe in God have rights. They cannot be punished or killed or subjected to arbitrary acts. Islam does not teach violence.

INDONESIA'S SUARA MERDEKA

We ought to worry that the fanaticism and motivation of hard- line groups will once again revive as a result of the "provocation".

ABEER MISHKHAS IN SAUDI ARAB NEWS

I think we Muslims are wasting our time protesting about what happens in other countries when the whole Islamic world has far bigger problems to face within its own borders... We should stop causing trouble outside our borders, no matter how strongly we feel.

Sources: as listed

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