Author Salman Rushdie in Washington, DC
Controversial novelist and British knight, Sir Salman Rushdie became known around the globe in 1988, based on reactions to the release of his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses. The book received critical acclaim in Great Britain, yet in other parts of the world, it was received with anger and hatred.
Within months of its release, the book was banned in numerous countries including India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa and six other nations, due mostly to complaints from the Muslim community regarding controversial characters. Additionally, the story line of the novel, considered provocative by some, noting how some Muslim characters were portrayed, added to the controversy. Misinformation, incorrect translations and other factors ultimately led to a feeling in parts of the Muslim world that the book was sacrilegious.
By 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa or religious edict under Islamic law, ordering the equivalence of a death sentence on Rushdie. It was the first time in recent history that a government had publicly called for the murder of a private citizen who lived ion another country. Khomeini’s edict caused Rushdie to head underground for close to 10 years.
Since The Satanic Verses was released, there have been several plots uncovered to assassinate 
Rushdie, including one in London, where an allegedly Hezbollah-sponsored bomber was killed when his bomb exploded prematurely in a London hotel. In another related incident, his Japanese translator was also murdered.
Rushdie is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at Emory University in Atlanta.
He will be discussing his latest novel, The Enchantress of Florence at an upcoming meet the author. It’s assumed other, more emotional topics about his life and threats on it, will also be discussed, based on comments he made at a recent talk given at Stanford University.
Salman Rushdie
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, NW
Washington DC (map it)
Date and Time - Monday, June 30, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets - $6.00, or receive two free tickets with the purchase of Rushdie’s his new book, The Enchantress of Florence, $26.00 at Politics & Prose at 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Nearest Metro Subway Station - Gallery Place Chinatown - Green, Red and Yellow line, then a 2-block walk or use the DC Circulator.
Parking - Metered street and paid lot/garage parking is available in the area.
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June 20th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I am in the middle of The Enchantress of Florence and loving every bit of it. Really need to focus when you read something by him.