A group of Pakistani clerics led by a pro-Taliban hardliner have said it would bestow a title upon al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in response to Britain's decision to grant knighthood to Salman Rushdie.

Allama Tahir Ashrafi, head of the Pakistan Ulema Council, said on Thursday that the group would give bin Laden the title "Saifullah" - which means "Sword of God" - for "serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels".

"If Britain can give a knighthood to Rushdie, we too have the right to make awards to our leaders and heroes," Ashrafi said.

He said that while he was not in contact with bin Laden, the reward would reach the fugitive al-Qaeda chief "at an appropriate time".

Ashrafi, who has campaigned for the release of jailed Islamic fighters, said his group represented over 3,000 clerics.

However, Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq, Pakistan's religious affairs minister, said he was not familiar with it.

 

Tensions

Ul-Haq has stirred tensions by suggesting the knighthood could justify suicide attacks and undermine Pakistan's effort against terrorism.

On Thursday, he said he would travel to Britain soon to meet with Muslim clerics and promote interfaith harmony.

Religious parties in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim state of 160 million, have called for nationwide protests on Friday to condemn Britain for bestowing the honour on Rushdie.

On Thursday, about 200 people rallied in the eastern city of Multan chanting "We are ready to die for Prophet Mohammed's honour" and "Down with Britain".

Pakistan, a close ally of Britain and the US, has condemned the knighthood for Rushdie, who has been accused of insulting Islam in his novel The Satanic Verses.

Protesters have burned effigies of Rushdie and Queen Elizabeth II on the streets of Pakistani cities and demanded that Britain take back the award - a request London has refused.

Aljazeera News.  (btw..."The Satanic Verses" sucked!)