February 14, 1989: Khomeini issues death fatwa to Salman Rushdie

Today is Valentine's Day, but it also is the anniversary of a dark day in regards to freedom of expression.

On February 14, 1989, barbarian Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran issued his religious edict, a fatwa, ordering the assassination of Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses, a book some viewed as blasphemous towards Islam.

Rushdie lived in hiding for a while, but is doomed to spending the rest of his life looking over his shoulder and carefully opening the front door of his home.

Meanwhile, yesterday Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, is still trying to spin himself out of the mess he got himself into over the Rushdie fatwa.

Technorati tags: Cat Stevens Valentine Valentines Day Islam Muslims Rushdie Yusuf Islam books Iran حقوق بشر زنان On this day