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Five Pakistani Muslim rioters are killed while protesting Salman Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses"

The Satanic Verses controversy, also known as the Rushdie Affair, was a controversy sparked by the 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses by the Indian author Salman Rushdie.

The Satanic Verses controversy, also known as the Rushdie Affair, was a controversy sparked by the 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses by the Indian author Salman Rushdie. It centred on the novel's references to the Satanic Verses (apocryphal verses of the Quran), and came to include a larger debate about censorship and religious violence. It included numerous killings, attempted killings (including against Rushdie himself), and bombings by perpetrators who supported Islam.

The affair had a notable impact on geopolitics when Ruhollah Khomeini, Supreme Leader of Iran, issued a fatwa in 1989 ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie. The Iranian government has changed its support for the fatwa several times, including in 1998 when Mohammad Khatami said the regime no longer supported it.

Historical Significance

The Satanic Verses controversy, also known as the Rushdie Affair, was a controversy sparked by the 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses by the Indian author Salman Rushdie.

Events Before

  1. Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen

    Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen

  2. English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli

    English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli

  3. Panamanian General Manuel Noriega is indicted by a US federal grand jury for drug trafficking and racketeering

    Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and politician who was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989.

  4. The Soviet Union begins withdrawing its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan

    The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, later known as the Republic of Afghanistan, was the Afghan state from 1978 to 1992.

  5. Britain's Parliament passes Section 28 as law prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality. Repealed in 2001/2004.

    Section 28 refers to a part of the Local Government Act 1988, which stated that local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material...

Events After

  1. Alan Hale Jr. dies

    Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.

  2. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

    Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

  3. NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

    NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

  4. John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

    John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

  5. Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

    Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

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The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members in one of the most devastating disasters in space exploration history.

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The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the

The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records

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Bill Veeck dies

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 12, 1989?
The Satanic Verses controversy, also known as the Rushdie Affair, was a controversy sparked by the 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses by the Indian author Salman Rushdie. It centred on the novel's references to the Satanic Verses (apocryphal verses of the Quran), and came to include a larger debate about censorship and religious violence. It included numerous killings, attempted killings (including against Rushdie himself), and bombings by perpetrators who supported Islam.
Why is Five Pakistani Muslim rioters are killed while protesting Salman Rushdie's no... significant?
The Satanic Verses controversy, also known as the Rushdie Affair, was a controversy sparked by the 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses by the Indian author Salman Rushdie.

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February 12 in HistoryYear 1989