National Assembly urges Britain to revoke Rushdie's knighthood

National Assembly on Monday passed a resolution condemning Britain's award of knighthood to writer Salman Rushdie and asked for its withdrawal to avoid Ummah resentments.
Indian born writer Salman Rushidie' book 'The Satanic Verses' sparked protests among Muslims around the world and led to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa in 1989, ordering his execution. Rushdie was awarded the knighthood by Britain's Queen Elizabeth- II on Saturday.
Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, forwarded the resolution, which was supported by majority of the members from both sides of the aisle. "This house strongly condemns the title of Sir, awarded to Salman Rushdie," the Minister said, reading the resolution, passed by the National Assembly.
"We demand from Britain to refrain from such acts which hurt the sentiments of Muslims and take back the title given to Rushdie," Afgan said. The resolution added that the award would encourage "contempt" of Prophet Mohammed(PBUH). However, two MNAs, Khawja Asif of Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Fowzia Wahab of Pakistan People Party opposed the resolution.
Khawaja Asif contended that he was opposing the resolution that it was given to the writer on the recommendation of Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, who is close ally of the present Pakistani government. Continuing he said that passing of such resolution against the British government would be a double standard.
Fowzia Wahab opined that such a resolution would make the writer more popular as it was seen in 1989 by the world-wide protest of the Muslims when he wrote this controversial book. Besides, MNAs Liaquat Baloch, Ghafoor Haideri, Mohammad Hussain Mahanti, Riaz Hussain Pirzada and others spoke and condemned the act.
Ejazul Haq, Minister for Religious Affairs also condemned the British government for giving title to Rashidie. However, he contradicted later in the House that he gave any statement regarding legitimacy of the suicide attacks in protest of such acts.
Ghafoor Haideri of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal regretted that the British government not only provided shelter to a criminal but also encouraged him by awarding such titles. Liaquat Baloch demanded of the government to record protest with the British government and ask it to withdraw the title, which he said has provoked the sentiments of Muslims across the world.