"The Satanic Verses" is a novel by Salman Rushdie, published in 1988. The story follows two Indian expatriates, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who survive a terrorist attack on a plane. The narrative intertwines their lives with themes of identity, faith, and cultural conflict, exploring the nature of good and evil. The book sparked significant controversy, particularly among Muslim communities, due to its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad and its interpretation of Islamic themes. This led to widespread protests, a fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, and discussions about freedom of expression and religious sensitivity.