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A planned reading from Salmon Rushdie’s controversial novel “Satanic Verses” has been called off in Vienna by a group of Austrian writers because of death and bomb threats. The group planned to hold the reading and discussion in conjunction with an Austrian students organization. Students and two Iranians due to take part reportedly received more than 25 death and bomb threats. Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ordered Rushdie’s death two months ago, saying that “Satanic Verses” blasphemes the Prophet Mohammed. The book has been burned publicly in many countries and at least 22 people have died in anti-Rushdie protests in India and Pakistan.