A fatwa is a formal legal opinion or interpretation issued by an Islamic scholar on a point of Islamic law (Sharia)

What is a Fatwa? Everything you need to know about the Islamic religious decree

How Rushdie attack shows the enduring impact of fatwas or religious edicts?

The attack on Salman Rushdie prompted a flow of well-wishes for the critically injured author, but unfortunately, it also elicited unpleasant reactions. According to Reuters, some hardline Iranian media praised Rushdie's attacker on Saturday, just a day after the incident, as the author of the novel "The Satanic Verses" was put on a ventilator.

'Satan on the way to hell': Iranian hardline newspapers praise attack on Salman Rushdie

New York police have disclosed the identity of the assailant who stabbed renowned Indian-origin author Salman Rushdie on Friday (August 12). The author of the controversial book 'Satanic Verses' was reportedly stabbed in the neck and abdomen and had to be airlifted to a hospital where he underwent surgery.

Salman Rushdie on ventilator after attack, police identify man who stabbed the author

For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims.

Why was Salman Rushdie attacked and what is the controversy surrounding ‘The Satanic Verses’?

Renowned Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie had to be rushed to the hospital, after being attacked while on stage at an event in New York. As Rushdie was being presented to make a speech on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York state, a guy allegedly charged the stage and stabbed Rushdie.

Salman Rushdie attack reactions: 'Your words are stronger than their weapons, therefore they attack you'