5. What’s a Fatwa?

How Salman Rushdie was forced into hiding in 1989. This ten-part series tells the hidden story of the fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie - the forces which led to the death sentence and recent attack on him, and the consequences for all of us. The series covers a 20-year period from 1979 to 1999 and explores race relations in Britain, identity, free speech and the connection between the fatwa and contemporary violent jihad. It was originally broadcast in 2019. The programme contains strong discriminatory language.

Producer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Presenters: Chloe Hadjimatheou and Mobeen Azhar Editor: Richard Knight

This episode includes a clip of Salman Rushdie speaking to Channel 4 in 1993.