The British are stingy when it comes to rewarding writers, and this makes Salman Rushdie's knighthood all the more exceptional

The British are stingy when it comes to rewarding writers, and this makes Salman Rushdie's knighthood all the more exceptional. Publication in 1988 of Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses had been taken in some Muslim ruling circles as an insult to Islam, and the knighthood added injury. Rejoicing under the title of patronage secretary, a rather obscure civil servant oversees these matters.

He had no suspicion that the award would spark off further foaming of the mouth in several Muslim countries. In their usual style of literary criticism, the mullahs of Iran once again stressed their intention to have Rushdie killed. In Pakistan, the minister for religious affairs--no less--wants apologies from the British government, and reprisals against Rushdie. For this minister, suicide bombing is now justified. A rumor is circulating that Rushdie actually got his title to show the Iranians what the British think about the recent hijacking and humiliation of their sailors in the Gulf. In any case, "Arise, Sir Salman" is a typical, dry, and devastating British understatement.

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