Satanic verses 39 years on. BBC2

[Motherofcreek]

Did any any one watch it?

I really enjoyed it.

Mobeen Hazar presenting did a great balanced job.

I’m just approaching 40 and had heard about Salman Rushdie but didn’t really know who he was or why he was hiding. I’m shocked though that this man could have most likely have been responsible and a catalyst for racists and extremists to get a foothold.

He really does have a lot to answer for!

Yes I watched it. It's bloody ridiculous the uproar over a BOOK. The awful extremist at the end had the cheek to say to destroy the book as it was his "freedom of speech" but no one else is allowed to have that

paup yeah he was nutjob!

I could see similar happening in Ireland if it was about major members in Christianity though. I’m catholic (ex) and could see members of my older generation going in to the streets.

What I was more interested in was this could be the catalyst for the issues we’re having in the uk now.

Well maybe ? As they did point to that in the documentary. With Christianity it has been mocked like in the film the life of Brian and mocked in shows like family guy etc, but I have not heard of the same issues and controversy in the Christian community

Oh and the "da Vinci code" was considered as blasphemy to some Christians but nothing to the degree that Salman Rushdie book has caused

I loved Satanic Verses, it was a beautiful book. I wonder how many people actually read it? There were so many stories all wrapped up in it. Must watch the programme.

I really enjoyed the documentary and found the book burner very funny

Btw was it the same guy who'd read out some and told him he needed educating who came back to burn the book?

The life of Brian received a backlash from fundamentalist Christians, not to my knowledge to the extent of a fatwa being issued though!

I haven't read the satanic verses and kind of understood suddenly why such offence was taken at it, it's not really comedy in the same way life of Brian is so is quite offensive as a novel. Crazy to think almost 60 people died as a result of it!

I really liked the conclusion of the presenter that it had both fuelled extremism and far right... I agree. On that I'm not sure that the book achieved much- 60 dead, and fuelled hate. Challenged my view that freedom of speech is the most important thing certainly

I'm watching it now. It is amazing that all of this started as the result of a work of fiction, absolute madness.
I have one question, where are the women?