Rushie Death Decree Stands, Khamenei Says

Iran’s spiritual leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said today the death decree against Salman Rushdie is irreversible, despite the British author’s attempts at reconciliation with Muslims offended by his novel.

“God willing, from now on no one will dare insult the great messenger of God and Islamic sanctities,” Khamenei said in a statement carried by Tehran radio, monitored in Nicosia.

The late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had called for Rushdie’s death in February, 1989, for allegedly defaming Islam in his book, “The Satanic Verses.”

Rushdie issued a statement in London on Monday embracing Islam and saying he would not seek the printing of a paperback edition of the novel.

Khamenei said Rushdie’s contention that he had not meant to cause offense would do him no good.

Quoting Khomeini, he said that “even if he (Rushdie) repents and becomes the most pious Muslim on Earth, there will be no change in this divine decree.”