Here we go again; following Britain’s decision to grant knighthood to Salman Rushdie, the Islamic world is gearing up for another violent seethefest, as Pakistan’s “religious affairs minister” says suicide attacks are justified.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan on Monday condemned Britain’s award of a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie as an affront to Muslim sentiments, and a Cabinet minister said the honor provided a justification for suicide attacks.

“This is an occasion for the (world’s) 1.5 billion Muslims to look at the seriousness of this decision,” Mohammed Ijaz ul-Haq, religious affairs minister, said in parliament.

“The West is accusing Muslims of extremism and terrorism. If someone exploded a bomb on his body, he would be right to do so unless the British government apologizes and withdraws the ‘sir’ title,” ul-Haq said. …

In the eastern city of Multan, hard-line Muslim students burned effigies of Queen Elizabeth II and Rushdie. About 100 students carrying banners condemning the author also chanted, “Kill him! Kill him!”

Religion of peace™!

Activists of Jamiat Talaba-e-Arabia chant slogans against Salman Rushdie as they burn his effigy in Multan June 17, 2007. Pakistan deplored on Monday Britain’s decision to award a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie, whose novel “The Satanic Verses” outraged many Muslims around the world. REUTERS/Asim Tanveer