On this day, 36 years ago, on February 14, 1989 (January 9, 1989 in the lunar calendar), Khomeini announced that British writer Rushdie was sentenced to death. Like British writer Samman Rushdie, Rushdie was strongly opposed by the Muslim world for publishing a novel called "The Satanic Verses". On February 14, 1989, Iranian religious leader Khomeini announced that Rushdie was sentenced to death and offered a reward of millions of dollars for his pursuit. This caused an international disturbance. On February 18, Rushdie accepted the steps given to him by Iranian President Hamenei and publicly apologized for "The Satanic Verses":"I realize that Muslims around the world are saddened by the publication of my novel. I deeply regret the suffering caused to true believers of Islam in Iran after the publication of this book." But Rushdie's apology was rejected by Khomeini. Khomeini reiterated: "Even if Rushdie confesses and becomes a pious person, he cannot be forgiven and every Muslim should send him to prison by whatever means at his disposal." This statement further strained the initially cold diplomatic relations between Britain and Iran. Western countries decided to take joint action and recall their envoys in Iran to "return home for consultations" in protest and condemn Khomeini for violating the most basic international rules. United Nations Secretary-General De Cuellar also called on Iran to lift threats to Rushdie's life and human rights. However, as Khomeini's will remained unchanged, the differences between Britain and Iran over the Rushdie incident could not be resolved, and Iran announced that it would sever diplomatic relations with Britain. The book "Satanic Verses" was launched in September 1988 by Penguin Bookstore in the UK. The British Penguin Bookstore originally planned to publish the book in India, Rushdie's birthplace, but the Indian Penguin branch received a copy of the manuscript and considered it for a long time and decided that the book should not be published. Later, two Indian magazines interviewed Rushdie and disclosed the contents of the book, which attracted the attention of the Indian government. Therefore, the Indian government notified Penguin Bookstore in London that "The Satanic Verses" was not allowed to enter India. Later, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries also announced bans. "The Satanic Verses" is a fantasy novel with a total of more than 500 pages. The author uses a language similar to the Bible to describe an Indian film star's dream who imagined a businessman, heard the Lord's whisper, became a prophet, and entered a city creating a religion. Muslims believe that the author used symbolism to insinuate the Prophet Mohammed and blaspheme their religion, thus arousing Muslim indignation. Rushdie was born into a Muslim family in Mumbai, India in 1947. He moved to the United States at the age of 13 and studied at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. In 1981, he wrote "Midnight Child", which won the UK's highest literary award-the "Hick Award". In 1988 he published "The Satanic Verses". As a result, Muslim anger at the book plunged him into terror and despair. It was not until February 26 that he broke his writing silence and wrote a review of American writer Philip Rose's autobiography "Facts". Rushdie wrote: "Ross's attitude towards such insults (attacked by Jews in 1976 for his novel" Portnoy's Complaint ") was very touching and helpful to a writer who was also under siege. Rushdie has since lived an "underground life" with police protection, with annual protection fees of up to US$1.6 million. On September 21, 1998, Iranian President Khatami, who was attending the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, said in response to a reporter's question: "The Rushdie incident has completely ended. From now on, we should promote dialogue among civilizations, not conflict. On September 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi pointed out at a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York that the Iranian government will no longer take any action to threaten the lives of Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses", and other people related to the book, nor will it encourage or support any organization to kill Rushdie. Khomeini's supporters of Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses were burned in public. Khomeini's order allowed Rushdie to live in seclusion for nine years.