The hidden story of the 1989 fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie - exploring the forces which led to the death sentence, the recent attack on Sir Salman 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. This ten-part series was originally broadcast in 2019 and this episode includes strong discriminatory language.

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

This episode includes clips from Love Thy Neighbour (a Thames Television production for the ITV network) and My Beautiful Laundrette (directed by Stephen Frears, produced by Working Title Films) as well as clips from the BBC’s own archive.