The publication of Salman Rushdie's book in the autumn of 1988 outraged many Muslims who believed the book was blasphemous. There were protests against the book around the world, including Britain. Ishtiaq Ahmed took part in the demonstrations and the public burning of The Satanic Verses in the UK. He tells Farhana Haider that this provocative decision was not just about grievances over the Satanic Verses, it was also to do with feelings about Muslims not being fully accepted in Britain.

(Photo: Satanic Verses being burnt in Bradford, 24 January 1989)