Hard liners?
I'm a very moderate muslim, and I'm British, and this is an insult.
It exposes the true nature of the mind set there is against Muslims.
No matter how cleverly you try to cover the news.

Rabbani, Birmingham, England

Some Muslims appear to live in "the Middle Ages", unable to understand how a secular state works. It is offensive to me that anyone should be sentenced to death for criticising a religious figure although in the UK we are obliged to accommodate (financially and culturally) those who support this vicious and intolerant view. Seemingly they are unable to reciprocate our tolerance. One assumes they would feel happier living in a less tolerant but pro-Muslim country? Iran perhaps?

Tony G, Harrogate, UK

Who really cares about the Idiots from Iran; they are beyond stupid

Minuteman, Carlisle, US/Ohio

Ironic that somebody living in an Islamic theocracy should complain about something that 'stinks of the Middle Ages'.
Anyway, the Religion of Peace's threats of death and violence are getting boring, and in any case shan't reverse the decision. My advice to anybody who's offended by this would firstly be to read some of Rushdie's novels, and secondly to grow up. Really, getting your panties in a wad over every little thing is very immature. So much so, that it's hardly surprising that nobody takes you seriously.

James S. , York, UK

"Hundreds of people marched through the streets chanting “Down with Britain” and “Hang Salman Rushdie”.

People should have the right to any belief system and its practice, but no right to impose their dogma on others in any unreasonable manner. It is not reasonable, civilised or rational to behave like a pack of wolves intent on devouring a particular prey. It is civilised to disagree, ignore and tolerate what one considers blasphemous.

"There were more peaceful protests nearer home. Leaders of Scotland’s 50,000 Muslims put forward a resolution condemning the knighthood. "

These may reasonably be the same "Leaders" advocating the establishment of sharia law in the U.K. or if not advocating, will be happy to welcome it. The question is how long before peaceful demands turn in to dogmatic and determined hatred against different groups?

The tradition of tolerance should be respected by all british people, whatever their race, religion, sex, class..

muji bally, london, england

We are not, I hope, going to hang Salman Rushdie. Britain is not going down.

Let the mobs in Asia and their leaders remember firstly that the book is a novel - i.e. fiction - and not a religious text. It is not worth so much fuss. Secondly, Islam has neither a special status nor the right to special consideration, except among Muslims. If they claim that preeminence and privilege for their belief, they must be prepared for others to do the same. We have seen where that can lead - is that what they want? Thirdly, does their God really need feeble human assistance to deal with Sir Salman? Blasphemy must be God's business more than any man's.

I suggest that the demonstrators mind their own business, as we do ours.

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

I'd say they ARE the United Kingdom.

Spanky, Portland, OR

I disagree with Steve of Racine. CIA has been meddling in more countries with more disasterous effects than anything the Muslim demonstrators can throw at us. In all this uproar most comments relate to "the right to honor" Rushdie or not. Without a doubt Britain has that right and everyone should respect it. Specifically should Britain honor an individual with poor writing skills and a writing style that represents someone who knew a little English and some Urdu. Satanic Verses is neither literature nor debate but a provacation, badly written. I can sit down and do that in an hour! AJP Taylor at Oxford argued that the Poles started the 2nd WW not Hitler. It was debatable, didn't make him a bad historian. No one wanted to harm Taylor. But Rusdie writes in bad taste and offensively which is where the problem lies and there is no need to glorify him. Thats all.

Khurshid Zaman, St. Petersburg, Florida

A regime that "stinks of the Middle Ages?" So, does that make Islamic Theocracy futuristic?! What a nerve!

Mahasti, LA,

The answere to Mr. Garry is to try passing laws condemning and prohibiting alcohol based drinks all together. The problem with alcoholic adults and youths is not few nonbelievers out of thousands of non Muslims selling alcohol. The same is for pornography problem you have. Try going after the source, you will be surprized of who is behind it all. For example begin by surching through the colossal companies and their investments and ownship of pornographic companies under different names. By the way western culture began this cancer of pornography not Muslims and/or Muslim states.

The answere to Mr. Steve's comment is that first of all people need to educate themselves regarding the history of foreign affairs if not the currant word affairs. That is the only way we can begin to understand the root problems we have as a world comunity and lets not forget justice for all.

Khosrow , Seattle, US

Who cares?! It's a state controlled, Iranian newspaper. What did you think they would print, a moving tribute to Rushdie?

I wonder, did they print anything about the ongoing arrests of students who protested Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Amir Kabir University in December of 2006. Probably not. They'd rather raise the commoners' hackles at a good but rather meaningless perceived anti-muslim slur than report on their own local human rights abuses.

Got to love fanatical religious dictatorships.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

Why do so many news agencies feel the need to print this dribble. Clearly Iranian officials have no idea what is going on and just say anything they can to incite anger against non-muslims.

Martin, Boston, MA, USA

I think we should all be grateful to Iran for providing us with so much innocent fun.

It is, however, a bit of a reflection on the Iranian school system that they seem to think that it is 1607 in the UK instead of 2007.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/US

Make your decision based on legitimate criteria - and do not let the political arena control this decision.

Josette, Lafayette, IN

Ah, so our Royalty stinks of the middle ages does it? Well, at least it's in the middle ages not the 4th century!
Reading those extracts, I feel sorry for the writers who believe that people reading them will take them seriously, whereas they will make them a laughing stock among civilised society.
If all this stupidity wasn't true you really couldnt make it up!
But wonderful publicity, it must have the quarter of the world that can read queueing up to buy the book!

Samantha Reed, Cambridge, England

Stinks of the Middle Ages huh , that would describe the mindset of the leadership of Iran and demonstrates why it should be erased from the face of the earth along with the nutbars in Pakistan the world would be a much better place if these so called people were turned into fertilizer because they are not worth anything as it is

Paul, Pickering, Canada

Quote: "There were more peaceful protests nearer home. Leaders of Scotland’s 50,000 Muslims put forward a resolution condemning the knighthood".

Scottish Muslim leaders would do better to condemn those members of their faith who sell alcohol, particularly fortified tonic wine, that is destroying our young people. Alcohol related liver disease has doubled in Scotland in the last ten years. The same shop keepers sell the hardest form of legal pornography.
If alcohol, pork and pornography is against the tenets of Islam, why are their adherents allowed to profit from them?
If the Muslim leaders want to do something for Scotland, ask their members to stop selling alcohol, making a profit at the expense of others misery.

Garry, East Wmyss,

I'd say they're meddling in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom.

Steve, Racine , Wisconsin US

Rushdie is an author known only for controversy. Many people in Australia only know him as the author who was referred to in a Seinfeld comedy sketch on TV or as the guy who gave lavatory directions in the film Bridget Jones's Diary. So what on earth is he being knighted for? There are so many people who have risked their lives for their fellow man who do not get anything. There are pop and rock starts getting knighted. I say bring on the Republic! I have always supported our constitutional monarchy, but this Rushdie knighthood is the last straw for me.

Victoria , NSW, Australia