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Pak condemns knighthood for Rushdie

By K J M Varma in Islamabad
June 19, 2007 17:56 IST

Britain's decision to confer Knighthood on India-born author Salman Rushdie dominated the proceedings of Pakistan's Parliament for the second consecutive day on Tuesday with the Senate adopting a resolution seeking its withdrawal.

'The Senate of Pakistan expresses its strong condemnation on the blatant disregard for the sensitivity of the Muslims of the world shown by the British government by awarding a Knighthood to Salman Rushdie, who committed blasphemy against a pillar of Islam, the persona of Holy Prophet,' said the resolution moved by the leader of the house Wasim Sajjad and supported by all opposition groups.

'This is time to create better understanding between people of different faiths and promote inter-faith harmony,' it said.

'The Senate of Pakistan representing the sentiments of the people of Pakistan demands that the knighthood conferred on Salman Rushdie be withdrawn,' it said.

The National Assembly adopted a similar resolution on Monday.

The provincial assembly in North West Frontier Province headed by Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal also adopted a resolution condemning Britain's decision.

The resolution demanded withdrawal of the title, saying that the decision has hurt sentiments of the Muslims across the world.

Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq Monday created a flutter in the National Assembly by justifying a suicide attack against Rushdie. He, however, later retracted his remarks.

K J M Varma in Islamabad
Source: PTI
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