A group of Pakistani clerics led by a pro-Taliban hard-liner announced that it would confer a title upon al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in response to the UK’s decision to grant knighthood to Salman Rushdie. Pakistan condemned the knighthood for Rushdie, who has been accused of insulting Islam in his novel ‘The Satanic Verses’.

All this week, protesters have burned effigies of Rushdie and Queen Elizabeth II on the streets of Pakistani cities and demanded that the UK take back the award, a request London has refused. Religious parties in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim state of 160 million, have called for nationwide protests on 22 June to condemn Britain for bestowing the honor on Rushdie.

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