The last three weeks have seen an outburst of outrage all across the world over Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses: a book, which according to the author, is only fiction.

Cries of freedom of speech have gone out to justify the printing and sale of this book. However, many, including Muslims and non-Muslims, have condemned this work claiming that it is offensive and degrades the revered prophets, Abraham and Mohammed and other historic figures. A clear analysis of the book can perhaps provide some answers.

The Satanic Verses includes a fake prophet called Mahound. Mahound is a medieval synonym for the devil and one which has been used historically as a derogatory western term for the prophet of Islam, Mohammed.

The book portrays Mahound as a lustful and devious character whose wives are referred to as "whores." Stories are told about characters common to the world's three monotheistic religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For example, the Angel Gabriel is portrayed in one story as a "dreamer" and a drunkard. The Prophet Abraham, for example, is described in the following manner:

"'In the ancient times, the patriarch Abraham came into the valley with Hagar and Ishmael, their son. Here in this waterless wilderness he abandoned her. She asked him, "Can this be God's will?" He replied, "It is," and left the bastard. From the beginning, man used God to justify the unjustifiable.

Furthermore, other words which make this example seem pale in contrast and which can not be repeated here, are used in conjunction with some of these and other revered personalities.

From the content of the Satanic Verses, it is very clear that it will be offensive to those who respect the Prophet Abraham and Mohammed. Furthermore, the question here is not of freedom of speech or simply the criticism of some historic figures. Objective criticism based on facts is healthy.

Yet, defamation and degradation of some of the most revered prophets in a thinly disguised "fiction" novel is another matter. Such a work can be termed as "hate literature."

Examples of such literature can and do include anti-Semitic and anti-black literature. Such literature should be condemned in the most harshest way since it promotes bigotry, hatred and falsehood.