Salman Rushdie coming to MSU on March 7

Salman Rushdie, the author forced into hiding after being condemned to death by the late Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, will speak at Montana State University on March 7.

In a speech titled, "Step Across This Line – An Evening with Salman Rushdie," the author will talk about his own life and how it reflects contemporary issues such as censorship and events in Iraq and Iran, said Carmen McSpadden, director of the MSU Leadership Institute http://www.montana.edu/leadership/ , which sponsors Rushdie’s appearance.

In 1989, Khomeini issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Rushdie because his novel "Satanic Verses" allegedly was blasphemous.

Although the fatwa technically remains in place – only the person issuing it or someone higher in authority can rescind it – the Iranian government withdrew its support for it in 1998, according to an article in the Jan. 20 London Times.

After the fatwa was issued, Rushdie, who was living in Great Britain at the time, went into hiding for several years. He since has re-emerged in the public eye and now lives in New York City.

"Rushdie had made a decision to live his life," McSpadden said.

That decision involves speaking out against any restrictions on writers.

By MARY PICKETT
Of The Gazette Staff

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