The Crime of Blasphemy

On the Media | May 5, 2011

Twenty years ago this week, the Ayatollah Khomeini called for the death of author Salman Rushdie for insulting Islam in his book The Satanic Verses. Rushdie's lawyer Geoffrey Robertson gave Rushdie a place to hide out in those days and defended Rushdie against the crime of blasphemy. Robertson reflects back on that time.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Democratic Challengers: Abdul El-Sayed and Nithya Raman

David Remnick speaks with two left-leaning Democrats challenging not just Trump’s agenda but their party’s tarnished image: Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and Nithya Raman in Los Angeles.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Defining "Middle Aged"

Julie Beck talks about the difficulty of determining when being "middle aged" actually starts.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

NYC says UES Legionnaires’ outbreak is over, after recording 7th death

The health department said it has been more than two weeks since a new case was reported.
Gothamist |

American History Friday: A 'Full Bio' About Shirley Chisholm

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE