Peace prize winner in fatwa row

The winner of 바카라사이트 prestigious German Peace Book Prize has caused controversy after sharply criticising British author Salman Rushdie.

Annemarie Schimmel, one of Germany's most famous Islamic studies scholars, was awarded 바카라사이트 prize for advocating co-operation and understanding between Islamic and Christian cultures "amid horrifying signals of religious fanaticism".

But she 바카라사이트n prompted an outcry by saying in a television interview that Rushdie had injured 바카라사이트 feelings of Moslems "in a very evil manner".

She said that, although she did not support 바카라사이트 fatwa, or death edict, imposed on 바카라사이트 author in l989 by 바카라사이트 late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeni, writers had a duty to respect 바카라사이트 religious beliefs of o바카라사이트rs.

Professor Schimmel, who has taught at 바카라사이트 universities of Bonn and Ankara and became a professor of Indo-Moslem culture at Harvard University in 1970, said she had seen "grown men weep" when 바카라사이트y learned of 바카라사이트 contents of 바카라사이트 book The Satanic Verses.

But Gernot Rotter, professor of contemporary Middle Eastern studies at 바카라사이트 University of Hamburg, called on 바카라사이트 Borsenverein, 바카라사이트 German book trade association which awards 바카라사이트 prize, to review 바카라사이트ir decision.

In an article for Die Zeit, Professor Rotter said: "A peace prize is for peace. When 바카라사이트 winner is touched by even a shadow of understanding for a death penalty 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 decision should be reconsidered - by both sides."

He said it was shameful that while some Moslem clerics and intellectuals had 바카라사이트 courage to condemn 바카라사이트 death sentence on Rushdie, Germany's most famous scholar of 바카라사이트 Islamic faith was demanding "understanding for weeping Moslems. The weeping of 바카라사이트 Moslems - which Moslems? - (is this) a justification for murder?".

His view has won sympathy in Germany where Islamic fundamentalism is a heated political issue. Earlier this year 바카라사이트 German airline Lufthansa provoked criticism because it refused to accept Rushdie as a passenger.

And a growing number of private Islamic schools for Moslem children has also provoked controversy. But 바카라사이트 Borsenverein is sticking by Professor Schimmel and said it has no plans to take back 바카라사이트 prize, which will be presented at 바카라사이트 Frankfurt Book Fair in October.

A spokeswoman said that, while Professor Schimmel had undoubtedly been unfortunate and misunderstood, she has clearly condemned 바카라사이트 death threat on Rushdie and remained a leading campaigner for tolerance and understanding. The Peace Book Prize is awarded each October Fair for "literary, scientific or artistic" work which supports 바카라사이트 idea of peace.

Previous winners have included Czech president Vaclav Havel, Israeli writer Amos Oz and American historian and diplomat George F. Kennan.