Cambridge University, Act Verses.

The publication of Salman Rushdie's 1988 novel, "The Satanic Verses," ignited a significant international controversy. The book's narrative, which included references to apocryphal verses of the Quran and reimagined elements of Islamic history and figures, led to widespread protest and condemnation from some Muslim communities. This controversy escalated into a broader debate concerning censorship, religious violence, and the boundaries of free speech, particularly in Western societies.

The situation reached a critical point in 1989 when Iran's Supreme Leader issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death, leading to numerous violent incidents and threats against the author. While the Iranian government has at times distanced itself from the fatwa, its pronouncements have varied over the years. The affair highlighted a perceived cultural divide, pitting Western values of free expression against the Islamic world's views on protecting the honor of the Prophet and Islam from perceived disparagement.

The title itself, "The Satanic Verses," referencing a legend about Muhammad and apocryphal Quranic verses, immediately drew criticism. The novel further explored this legend, depicting episodes from Muhammad's life. Other elements that caused offense included the use of the name "Mahound," a historical derogatory term for Muhammad, and "Jahilia," the pre-Islamic period, for the holy city of Mecca. Characters bore names of significant Islamic figures, such as the Angel Gibreel (Gabriel) as a film star and Saladin as a devil. The wives of Muhammad were depicted in a way that some found deeply disrespectful, with their names used for prostitutes in a fictional brothel. Additionally, the novel included critiques of Islamic law and practices, and characters expressed sentiments questioning the role of religious faith in society.

Prior to "The Satanic Verses," Salman Rushdie's works had already generated controversy. His earlier novels, such as "Midnight's Children" and "Shame," had drawn criticism for their portrayals of political figures and cultural dynamics in India and Pakistan. Rushdie, identifying as a leftist, had previously expressed anti-establishment views and supported the early stages of the Iranian Revolution, while also criticizing US foreign policy. However, following the fatwa, he was accused by the Iranian government of being a CIA agent. Rushdie himself initially anticipated only moderate backlash, expecting to defend his work publicly rather than face extreme repercussions.

The controversy surrounding "The Satanic Verses" had profound geopolitical consequences, most notably the fatwa issued by Iran's Supreme Leader. This event significantly impacted international relations and brought issues of religious freedom, censorship, and cultural conflict to the forefront. The affair was seen by some as dividing "Muslims from Westerners along the fault line of culture." It highlighted a clash between the Western emphasis on freedom of expression and the Muslim world's stance on protecting religious honor and the Prophet Muhammad from perceived insults. The British literary community recognized the fatwa as a pivotal moment in postwar literary history.

“I expected a few mullahs would be offended, call me names, and then I could defend myself in public... I honestly never expected anything like this”