His own book was burned by Muslim fanatics, and a fatwa was put on his head, but firebrand authorSalman Rushdiesaid yesterday that he supports a mosque and Islamic cultural center just two blocks from Ground Zero.
“It’s just a stupid argument,” said Rushdie, after he spoke at the Brooklyn Book Festival. “Of course they should be able to build a mosque there.”
The author of “The Satanic Verses” said the debate over the proximity of the mosque to Ground Zero was ridiculous, since a mosque was inside the World Trade Center itself.
Rushdie said he treasured America’s First Amendment rights -- but not when it came to Florida Pastor Terry Jones’ Koran-torching threats.
“I’m not in favor of burning books,” Rushdie said.