THE RUSHDIE AFFAIR: A CONFLICT OF RIGHTS

This analytical study examines the international controversy surrounding Salman Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" and analyzes it as a fundamental conflict between freedom of expression and religious sensitivity in the late 1980s global context. The article explores the historical background of the Rushdie affair, including the publication of the novel, the subsequent fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, and the international reactions that transformed it into a global cause célèbre. The research investigates the philosophical foundations of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right and examines its limitations in various legal and cultural traditions. The study analyzes the concept of religious offense and blasphemy from Islamic and other religious perspectives, and assesses how different societies balance artistic freedom with religious respect. The article examines the geopolitical dimensions of the controversy, including how it intersected with West-Islam relations, intra-Muslim debates, and broader cultural conflicts. The research also evaluates the implications of the Rushdie affair for multicultural societies, international relations, and global norms regarding freedom of expression and religious tolerance.

The Rushdie affair represented one of the most significant cultural and political controversies of the late 1980s, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of the conflict between freedom of expression and religious sensitivity. The research begins by examining the historical context of the controversy, tracing the publication of "The Satanic Verses," the evolving Muslim responses from initial criticism to the Iranian fatwa, and the internationalization of the conflict. The analysis explores the philosophical foundations of freedom of expression, examining how this right is conceptualized in liberal democratic theory, international human rights instruments, and various constitutional traditions. The article investigates Islamic perspectives on blasphemy and religious offense, analyzing theological positions, legal traditions, and contemporary interpretations regarding protection of religious sanctities. The study examines the legal dimensions of the conflict, assessing how different jurisdictions approach the balance between free speech and religious protection through blasphemy laws, hate speech regulations, and other legal mechanisms. The research evaluates the geopolitical implications of the controversy, analyzing how it affected West-Islam relations, influenced debates about multiculturalism, and became symbolic of broader cultural conflicts. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes the deeper tensions revealed by the Rushdie affair regarding globalization, identity politics, and the challenges of pluralistic coexistence in an interconnected world. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between individual rights and community values in diverse societies and contribute to understanding how societies navigate fundamental value conflicts in increasingly interconnected global contexts.