We used to use the Rushdie example as a case study on our Threat Evaluation phase of the BG Course.This was when the fatwah by Khomeini was still in place.
A point I made was even if the fatwah was lifted, the threat would remain serious, because of the religious nature of the "offense". Any individual Muslim could take it on himself to avenge the "blasphemy"
World wide terrorism over The Satanic verses, ensued; bookstores firebombed. Muslim communities in several nations in the West held public rallies, burning copies of the book. Several people associated with translating or publishing the book were attacked, seriously injured, and even killed. Contrast that with the play The Book of Mormon. Last night I watched the capacity audience leave the theatre in Liverpool where the play is having a run; with no hint of any protests or disorder, let alone terrorism.