Nova Southeastern University’s decision to invite Salman Rushdie to speak at its commencement in May has drawn criticism from some Muslim students, who say the novelist’s portrayal of their faith, especially in his 1988 book The Satanic Verses, is offensive and inappropriate for an event that should be inclusive of all graduates, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported today.

Mr. Rushdie has slowly emerged from hiding in the 17 years since Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini put a price on his head for blasphemy, and a decade ago the novelist spoke at Bard College’s commencement (The Chronicle, June 7, 1996). But as Muslim students on American campuses have become more numerous and more vocal (The Chronicle, November 9, 2001), such invitations are bound to come under fire.