Teheran, June 20
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the British ambassador to complain over Britain’s decision to grant a knighthood to controversial Indian-born author Salman Rushdie, who was accused of blasphemy by Iran’s former supreme leader for his book “The Satanic Verses,” the state news agency reported today.

In the meeting, Iranian foreign ministry official Ebrahim Rahimpour told ambassador Jeffrey Adams that the decision was a “provocative act” that has angered Muslims.

Adams said Rushdie was being honoured for his works of literature and underlined that the British government respects Islam, the state Islamic Republic News Agency said.

In the meeting held last evening, Adams promised to relay Teheran's protest to London.

Britain announced on Saturday that it would award Rushdie a knighthood, along with CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour, a KGB double agent and several others. — AP

Kuala Lumpur: Supporters of Malaysia’s hardline Islamic party protested outside the British embassy today against the award of a knighthood to Salman Rushdie, whose novel the “Satanic Verses” had outraged Muslims worldwide.

Chanting “Destroy Salman Rushdie” and “Destroy Britain”, some 30 members of the Opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia urged Britain to withdraw the honour or risk the consequences.

“This has tainted the whole knighthood, the whole hall of fame of the British system,” party treasurer Hatta Ramli told mediapersons after the party handed a protest note to embassy officials. “The British government must be responsible because it has created a sudden feeling of anger not just on Salman Rushdie but on the British government,” he said.

Pakistan summoned its top British envoy yesterday to protest against the award. Small protests have taken place in several Pakistani cities.

Afghanistan’s Taliban insurgents also condemned the knighthood for the “apostate” British writer. — Reuters