Indian-Born Author's Knighthood Condemned by Muslim Community

Indian-born author Salmon Rushdie was honored with a knighthood from the British government for his work, including "The Satanic Verses." By its title it can be imagined what spurred the Iranian government to issue a 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie's execution. The book prompted protests from Muslims around the globe, and this latest honor has also sparked controversy and condemnation, including some from the Pakistan Parliament, which considered the honor an affront to Muslims according to Calgary Sun's website. But federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd has leapt to Rushdie's defense, saying that "we believe in freedom, we believe in literary freedom, we believe in freedom of speech." Rudd praised Rushdie's talents, saying that he was a fine writer who more than merited recognition. "He is a person not just of creative talent and ability, but is a person who is gifted with great moral courage," ABC News quotes Rudd as saying.

But Muslim leaders consider the knighthood an occasion to "look at the seriousness of this decision" as religious affairs minister Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq put it. He accused the West of charging Muslims with extremism and terrorism. And the minister for parliamentary affairs condemned Rushdie as a "blasphemer."

Elsewhere, in the city of Multan, effigies of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Rushdie were burned by Muslim students in protest.