The Rushdie Affair: The Satanic Verses Controversy (1989-1995)

The Rushdie Affair, also known as the Satanic Verses controversy, refers to a series of events that occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s following the publication of Salman Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses." The novel, which was published in 1988, is a work of fiction that explores themes of religion, identity, and migration.

However, the book's depiction of certain aspects of Islam and its Prophet Muhammad was deemed blasphemous by some Muslims. This led to a widespread backlash from the Muslim community, with many calling for the book to be banned and for Rushdie to be punished for insulting their religious beliefs.

The controversy escalated when the leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa (a religious edict) in 1989 calling for Rushdie's death. The fatwa stated that Rushdie was a blasphemer and apostate who deserved to be killed, and offered a large reward for anyone who carried out the sentence.

The fatwa sparked a wave of protests and violence around the world, with several people being killed in the process. Rushdie was forced to go into hiding and live under police protection for several years, and many countries banned the book outright.

In the aftermath of the Rushdie Affair, Salman Rushdie was forced to live in hiding for several years under the protection of the British government. He received numerous death threats from extremist groups and was under constant surveillance by the police.

Rushdie's publishers, translators, and booksellers also faced threats and attacks in various parts of the world. Some were even killed for their involvement with the book. The Japanese translator of the book was murdered, and the Italian translator was seriously injured in an attack.

Despite the controversy and the threats, Rushdie continued to write and publish books. He also became an advocate for free speech and worked to raise awareness of the dangers of religious extremism and censorship.

In 1998, the Iranian government officially distanced itself from the fatwa, although some hard-line clerics continued to call for Rushdie's death. In 2007, the Indian government lifted its ban on "The Satanic Verses," and in 2016, Rushdie was finally able to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, which had previously cancelled his appearance due to security concerns.

On August 12, 2022, a man stabbed novelist Salman Rushdie multiple times as he was about to give a public lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, United States. A 24-year-old suspect, Hadi Matar, was arrested at the scene, and was charged the following day with assault and attempted murder. Rushdie was gravely wounded and hospitalized. Interviewer Henry Reese was also injured by the attacker.

Rushdie, an Indian-born British-American, was threatened with death in 1989, a year after the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses, when the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his assassination and set a bounty of $3 million for his death. For years, Rushdie lived in hiding and took strict security measures which became more relaxed over time.

The government of Iran denied having foreknowledge of the stabbing, although state-controlled agencies of the Iranian media celebrated it. U.S. law enforcement is investigating whether the assailant was in contact with other extremists.