Salman Rushdie has lived under a heavy security regime since he released the book “Satanic Verses” in 1988. The book is seen by many as blasphemous, and is banned in several countries, including Iran. Why is the book so controversial? – Rushdie writes satirically about certain aspects of Islam, and some Muslims perceive that as offensive, says Anine Kierulf, associate professor of public law at the University of Oslo. There is a clear divide between the vast majority of Muslims, who tolerate this just fine, and a small group of violent extremists who do not. That is according to legal scientist Anine Kierulf at the University of Oslo. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news Sentenced to death for the book So offensive that the late leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, sentenced Rushdie, as well as all publishers and distributors of the book to death in 1989. The death sentence was almost carried out in Norway when Rushdie’s Norwegian publisher, William Nygaard in Aschehoug, was shot outside his home in Oslo in 1993. A former Iranian diplomat is charged with complicity in the assassination of the publisher’s boss. Standing by Rushdie Trass in the major consequences the collaboration has had for Aschehoug, the publisher has stood by Rushdie through all these years. Salman Rushdie and Mads Nygaard at a garden party at Aschehoug in 1992. Photo: Morten Holm / NTB Tomorrow a dozen of their authors will read aloud from “Satanic verses” in the Aschehoug garden in solidarity with the author who was recently seriously injured during a literature festival in the United States. – As his publisher, we naturally want to show our support and stand in solidarity with Salman Rushdie, says Mads Nygaard. Salman Rushdie almost had to pay with his life when he was attacked with a knife during a literature festival in New York on 12 August this year. Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP He is the son of William and the current publishing manager in Aschehoug. Nygaard says that Norwegian writers react with shock and disbelief when freedom of expression is challenged by force. – The reading clearly shows that Norwegian authors do not accept attacks on statements and authors who stand behind them. – I hope as many people as possible take the trip to show the same, continued Nygaard. Mads Nygaard is like his father, publisher of Salman Rushdie. – With the marking, we want to show our solidarity with him, he says. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news Great security around the event But it is not without risks according to chief of staff at the Oslo police district, Harald Nilssen. The current threat level in Norway is level four, which is high. – With such a level of threat, there will always be a residual risk, says Nilssen, who explains that the Police’s security service’s assessment is at the bottom of the security plan planned for the commemoration. – Their assessment, combined with the information we have and the subject matter, means that we will deploy an extraordinary number of uniformed and armed police in the area, he continued. The police are taking the security measures the threat level and the event dictate, says Chief of Staff Harald Nilssen at the Oslo Police District. Photo: Oslo Police District What does the security plan say about freedom of expression in Norway? – The space for expression is basically very large, safe and not threatened, but in this particular area the need for security is great because some radical Islamists think it is okay to use violence against certain controversial speakers, says Kierulf. – I speak out about controversial statements all the time, so I note that it is only when it concerns this topic that you see such security auctions, she adds. – A fight we all have to take It doesn’t scare, author Ingar Johnsrud, who is among those who will present extracts from the controversial book. Author Ingar Johnsrud is not worried before the solidarity marking for Salman Rushdie. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news – It’s the least we can do, especially in times like this, he says. Johnsrud continued: – Salman Rushdie is a man who has stepped forward for us all by representing some of the most important freedoms we have. The right to write, say and mean what one wants. Both he and publishing manager Nygaard have full confidence in the police’s security assessments. – I have to be able to resist. We must be able to say what we think and have on our hearts without being afraid of violence and threats. This is a battle we all have to fight, concludes Johnsrud.
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Not without risk, say the police – news Culture and entertainment
