Ayatollah Khomeini and ‘The Satanic Verses’

The death threat by Iranian leaders against a British author, plus the sizable bounty to murder the writer, represents a serious challenge to Muslim leaders throughout the world. They have a choice to renounce this vicious example of terrorism or to remain silent and give the impression that such despotism is not inconsistent with Islam.

Political democracies, especially Britain and the United States, are also challenged. Are they willing to permit interference with the artistic freedom of expression that has played such a central role in Western civilization? Our recent history suggests that such attacks on our basic values should not be ignored.

HOWARD H. KENDLER

Santa Barbara