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| Anniversary of Rushdie book fatwa | Anniversary of Rushdie book fatwa |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| It is 20 years since Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against the author Salman Rushdie after the publication of The Satanic Verses. | It is 20 years since Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against the author Salman Rushdie after the publication of The Satanic Verses. |
| The novel's release led to widespread protest by Muslims who regarded it as blasphemous, including public burning of the book. | |
| Rushdie had to live in hiding and under special protection for several years. | Rushdie had to live in hiding and under special protection for several years. |
| And while he is now able to live a more public life, he says the affair remains "an albatross around his neck". | And while he is now able to live a more public life, he says the affair remains "an albatross around his neck". |
| Last year, he told BBC's Newsnight that he was considering writing a book about the experience. | Last year, he told BBC's Newsnight that he was considering writing a book about the experience. |
| Nine days after The Satanic Verses was published in Britain in September 1988, it was banned in India. | Nine days after The Satanic Verses was published in Britain in September 1988, it was banned in India. |
| Attacks | Attacks |
| Muslims who wanted the book withdrawn in Britain burned a copy at a demonstration in Bradford's main square. | Muslims who wanted the book withdrawn in Britain burned a copy at a demonstration in Bradford's main square. |
| Protests gathered pace in various countries, and on 14 February 1989, the Iranian revolutionary leader issued the fatwa. | Protests gathered pace in various countries, and on 14 February 1989, the Iranian revolutionary leader issued the fatwa. |
| There were attacks on people involved in translating or publishing the book. | There were attacks on people involved in translating or publishing the book. |
| Although Iran said this week that the fatwa remains valid, the official line laid down in 1998 was that the death sentence should no longer be pursued. | Although Iran said this week that the fatwa remains valid, the official line laid down in 1998 was that the death sentence should no longer be pursued. |
| BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said that in Britain the book and its effects remain divisive. | BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said that in Britain the book and its effects remain divisive. |
| "Some British Muslims say today that the protest tactics damaged the aims of Muslims; some say they helped prevent greater insults to Islam," he said. | "Some British Muslims say today that the protest tactics damaged the aims of Muslims; some say they helped prevent greater insults to Islam," he said. |