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Rushdie: Pakistan summons British envoy

Nirupama Subramanian

Says that the decision to confer knighthood showed “lack of sensitivity”

— PHOTO: AFP

VOCIFEROUS: Protesters raise slogans against Britain during a protest in Lahore on Tuesday condemning the knighthood awarded to Salman Rushdie.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Parliament’s Senate, or upper House, on Tuesday followed the National Assembly in adopting a resolution against the knighthood to Salman Rushdie, while the Government turned up the volume by summoning the British envoy to the Foreign Ministry to register a strong protest.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley was told that “Salman Rushdie is a controversial figure who is known less for his literary contribution than for his offensive and insulting writings, which have caused deep hurt to Muslims all over the world,” and that the British Government’s decision to confer the award on him showed “an utter lack of sensitivity.”The protest appeared aimed at Mr. Brinkley’s defence of the knighthood.

“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,” Mr. Brinkely said after the National Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the award on Monday. “It is simply untrue that this knighthood is intended as an insult to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad.”

But the spokesperson said the people of Pakistan and Muslims all over the world “deeply resent” the honour to Mr. Rushdie. Considering that Britain had a large Muslim population, such a decision was “not expected” of its Government, she said.

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry also handed Mr. Brinkley a copy of the National Assembly’s resolution.

For his part, the British envoy is said to have expressed “deep concern” over the suggestion by Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Ejaz-ul-Haq that the award could provoke suicide attacks. The Minister made these remarks during the debate on the resolution in the National Assembly on Monday, causing a stir in the House. He later clarified that it was not his intention to condone terrorist attacks, and that his reference was to the root causes of terrorism.

The Minister, who is the son of the late General Zia-ul-Haq, demanded that all Islamic countries break off diplomatic relations with Britain unless the award was withdrawn.

Mr. Brinkley is said to have conveyed on behalf of his Government that nothing could justify suicide attacks.

On Tuesday, the Senate also adopted a resolution condemning the award.

The leader of the House in the Senate, Wasim Sajjad, moved the resolution that expressed “strong condemnation” at the “blatant disregard” by the British Government for the sentiments of Muslims, and said the award would widen the rift between the West and Islam.

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

Pakistan’s provincial assemblies also passed resolutions condemning the award. The North West Frontier Province Assembly resolution said the honour was part of a campaign by Europe and the West to “hurt the feelings of Muslims,” and urged the Pakistan Government to cut off diplomatic ties with Britain.

A similar call was made in the Karachi City Council on Monday, where members reportedly chanted “Kill Salamn Rushdie, Hang Salman Rushdie.”

The Sindh Assembly passed a resolution urging the Government to use its good offices with the British Government for withdrawing the knighthood.

AFP reported that protesters affiliated to the Jamat-e-Islami burnt an effigy of Queen Elizabeth, the British monarch, in Lahore.

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