LONDON, June 21 (UPI) -- British Parliament leader Jack Straw sympathizes with Muslims' distress over honors given author Salman Rushdie but disagrees with those who want him dead.
The Times Online reported Thursday the former foreign secretary condemned the idea that Rushdie should be targeted for death for writing the 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses." Calls for Rushdie's death were rekindled when the queen of England bestowed knighthood on the author last weekend.
Iran and Pakistan have formally protested his being honored.
"Of course I understand the concerns and sensitivity in the community," said Straw, a House of Commons member. "That said, there can be no justification whatever for suggestions that as a result of this a further fatwa should be placed on the life of Mr. Rushdie."
While Straw rejected calls for violence against Rushdie, he disclosed he has never finished one of the author's books.
"I'm afraid I found his books rather difficult and I've never managed to get to the end of any of them, despite a basic rule I have which is if you start a book you have to finish it," Straw said. "I'm afraid his writing has defeated me."
