I agree. Name calling isn't appropriate. The "nut" word wasn't in reference to his religion, but rather, that he may have supported the murder directive of Rushdie. Frankly, it was always my understanding that he agreed with the "fatwah". So, it's good to know that he didn't and, moreover, that he apologized for any confusion he may have caused.
Thanks for the article, John. Maybe Yusuf wouldn't mind making a little cash?
I happened to be in London and saw that interview. I thought it was a good example of the difference between US & UK interviewing styles. (Well, some anyway.) AsI remember it the interviewer didn't argue with him. He just let him hang himself. (Even though there was an audience the interviewer didn't seem to need to show that he was on the side of the righteous.) And (again as I remember it) the artist formerly known as Cat, agreed with the fatwah but said he wouldn't necessarily carry it out himself even if he had a chance.
Wierdly enough the other day I found myself arguing about this with a woman who turned out to be Rushdie's ex-wife. She thought he'd made too much of the fatwah and had played into the hands of UK racists.