GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: the Near/Middle East
February 14, 1989: Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran calls on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses.

Many Muslims believe that The Satanic Verses, a novel about a young Indian's life in Britain and the roots of his Muslim faith, irreverently fictionalizes the early Islamic community and Muslim life. Khomeini issues a fatwa, or religious opinion, on the matter. A $2.5 million price is also put on Rushdie's head. Rushdie spends nine years in hiding until Iran's government announces it no longer supports attempts to kill him.

PBS Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock /flashpoints/literature/rushdie. html

The 1988 publication of The Satanic Verses in Britain unleashes a firestorm of worldwide protest from Islamic fundamentalists.
PBS Muslims: Islam and the West
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline /shows/muslims/themes/west.html

Historically, what have been Islam's ancient and modern conflicts with the West? In a modern globalized world, what issues are confronting Muslims? And what is the impact on the West of the Islamic resurgence?
PBS Muslims: Interviews: Chandra Muzaffar
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline /shows/muslims/interviews/muzaffar .html

Frontline interviews Chandra Muzaffar, a Malaysian academic and social activist, about Islam.