Rebels call for protest against Rushdie knighthood

An Islamic rebel group in Indian-controlled Kashmir has today condemned the award of a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie and called for a protest strike in the region.

"People in Kashmir will rise in one voice and condemn this shameful decision by observing a complete shutdown," Jameil Ahmad, a spokesman Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen rebel group said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press news agency.

The strike was called for Friday.

The statement slammed Britain's Queen, saying that: "By choosing her birthday to confer knighthood on Rushdie, the Queen has ridiculed and challenged the sentiments of Muslims across the world."

The decision also sparked harsh comments in neighbouring Pakistan. Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq, Pakistan's religious affairs minister, said the honour provided a justification for suicide attacks.

Iran's late spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a 1989 fatwa, or religious edict, ordering Muslims to kill the author because his book, 'The Satanic Verses', allegedly insulted Islam.