Sir Salman Rushdie

The knighthood of Salman Rushdie isn't sitting well with Muslims.

What a surprise!

I'M SHOCKED!!!

I expected them to respond with the same control that they exhibited during the Danish cartoon controversy.


Pakistan's religious students burn effigies of Queen Elizabeth II and author Salman Rushdie condemning the knighthood award to Rushdie in Multan, Pakistan, Sunday, June 17, 2007. Pakistani lawmakers passed a government-backed resolution Monday demanding Britain withdraw the knighthood awarded to author Salman Rushdie, condemning the honor as an insult to the religious sentiments of Muslims. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

THE storm over Salman Rushdie's knighthood intensified yesterday when a Pakistani minister called it a reason for suicide attacks.

Religious affairs leader Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq said honouring the author insulted Muslims. He raged at his parliament: "If someone exploded a bomb on his body he would be right to do so unless the Britain apologises and withdraws the 'sir' title."

Students burned effigies of the Queen and Rushdie in Multan, chanting: "Kill him" Their leader Asim Dahr said: "This Queen has made a mockery of Muslims." The British flag was burnt in Lahore.

The knighthood for Rushdie, 59, was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours on Saturday.

Pakistani Muslims stand on a Britain flag as they shout slogans during a protest in Lahore, to strongly condemn the title of Sir awarded to Salman Rushdie. Pakistan demanded on Monday that Britain withdraw a knighthood awarded to Rushdie, as a government minister said the honour gave a justification for suicide attacks by Muslims.(AFP/Arif Ali)

So Muslims are personally insulted by the prospect of Rushdie being a knight.

They respond to the news by threatening to carry out suicide attacks and holding protests, burning the British flag, and burning Queen Elizabeth in effigy.

Does that seem reasonable?

If you think so, you just might be an Islamic extremist.