Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had condemned as blasphemous passages referring to the Prophet Muhammad in Rushdie's 1988 novel ''The Satanic Verses."

Source: https://www.startribune.com/author-salman-rushdie-awarded-prestigious-german-prize-for-his-literary-work-and-resolve/600283685/

The Ayatollah issued a decree calling for Rushdie's death, forcing the author into hiding for many years - although he had been living and traveling freely for decades before the stabbing.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12101709/Salman-Rushdie-attends-NYC-PEN-Gala-public-appearance-August-2022-knife-attack.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490