Pak minister in Rushdie row to visit Britain
Friday, 22 June 2007
ISLAMABAD, Jun 21 (AFP): A Pakistani minister who caused outrage by remarking that author Salman Rushdie's knighthood justified suicide attacks said Thursday that he is set to visit Britain next month.
Religious Affairs Minister Ijaz-ul Haq made the comment about the "Satanic Verses" author in parliament Monday but later withdrew his words, insisting that he meant to say the award would foster extremism.
"Yes, I may travel to Britain next month as a British delegation has invited me to guide them on how to engage khateebs and imams (sermon deliverers and prayer leaders) in a constructive dialogue," Haq told AFP.
The 52-year-old minister said the schedule of his visit was not finalised but that it would give him an opportunity to better convey his point of view.
"The visit would also help clear many things and misunderstandings about my remarks about the knighting of Salman Rushdie by Britain," added the minister.
The British delegation met Haq Monday and included representatives from Britain's Home Office and Foreign Office with responsibility for engaging with the Islamic world and preventing extremism, he said.
The British High Commission in Islamabad was not immediately available for comment.
Haq said he told the visitors that Pakistan's much-maligned madrassas, or Islamic schools were not involved, in spreading terrorism and that they were providing food, shelter and education to millions of poor children.
"We are committed to curbing terrorism and extremism in society but the Western world should also play its due role to eradicate these problems," Haq said.
Religious Affairs Minister Ijaz-ul Haq made the comment about the "Satanic Verses" author in parliament Monday but later withdrew his words, insisting that he meant to say the award would foster extremism.
"Yes, I may travel to Britain next month as a British delegation has invited me to guide them on how to engage khateebs and imams (sermon deliverers and prayer leaders) in a constructive dialogue," Haq told AFP.
The 52-year-old minister said the schedule of his visit was not finalised but that it would give him an opportunity to better convey his point of view.
"The visit would also help clear many things and misunderstandings about my remarks about the knighting of Salman Rushdie by Britain," added the minister.
The British delegation met Haq Monday and included representatives from Britain's Home Office and Foreign Office with responsibility for engaging with the Islamic world and preventing extremism, he said.
The British High Commission in Islamabad was not immediately available for comment.
Haq said he told the visitors that Pakistan's much-maligned madrassas, or Islamic schools were not involved, in spreading terrorism and that they were providing food, shelter and education to millions of poor children.
"We are committed to curbing terrorism and extremism in society but the Western world should also play its due role to eradicate these problems," Haq said.