The Satanic Verses is mostly known for the controversy that surrounded it. The controversy, which has lasted over twenty years” revolved around Rushdie’s portrayal of Islam and certain excerpts from his novel that individuals, groups, and nations found offense to. The novel became more political than literary due to the growing tensions between the West and the East, particularly the West and Iran.
Brief Time-Line of the Controversy
Sept. 26, 1988: Viking Penguin publishes Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses in London.
Oct. 5, 1988: India bans The Satanic Verses.
Nov. 21, 1988: Gad el-Haq Ali Gad el-Haq , Grand Sheikh of Cairo’s Al-Azhar University, bans the The Satanic Verses in Egypt due to its subject matter.
Feb. 14, 1989 : Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini of Iran issues a ‘fatwa’ against Salman Rushdie. This ‘fatwa’ or religious ruling calls for the death of Salman Rushdie.
Feb. 15, 1989: Rushdie first goes into hiding and is offered protection by the British government.
Feb. 22, 1989: The Satanic Verses is published in New York by Viking Penguin.
July 12, 1991: Hitoshi Igarashi, a Japanese translator of The Satanic Verses, is murdered.
Dec. 11, 1991: Salman Rushdie makes brief appearance at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism to speak about the freedom of speech.
Sept. 24, 1998: Rushdie is allowed to return to India.
Sources
Timeline dates and summary: http://middleeast.about.com/od/religionsectarianism/a/me080923.htm
Video Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqmVrajbjk
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