Author of the controversial novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ or ‘Satanic Verses’, Salman Rushdie, was stabbed while on stage in New York, United States (US). The incident also sparked differences in attitudes between Iran and France.
Reported AFP, Saturday (13/8/2022), the British writer was stabbed in the neck while at a literary event on Friday in western New York state. Rushdie was then rushed to a local hospital by helicopter.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Rushdie was still alive. He condemns the violence that has happened to Rushdie.
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“We condemn all violence, and we want people to feel the freedom to speak and write the truth,” he said.
The police who are at the Rushdie location will give a lecture immediately to arrest the suspect. Police did not provide details on the suspect’s identity or other possible motives.
Research Still Underway
The local police are still investigating this case. A suspect has been arrested.
“A male suspect ran onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie suffered stab wounds to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to a regional hospital. His condition is unknown,” police said in a statement.
It is known, Salman once wrote ‘The Satanic Verses’ in 1988. The novel was criticized by some Muslims because it was considered disrespectful to the Prophet Muhammad.
UK PM shocked by Rushdie stabbed
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was shocked by the stabbing of Salman Rushdie in New York. Reported AFPSaturday (08/13/2022) this was conveyed by Johnson through an upload on his Twitter.
“Terrible that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising rights we must not stop,” Johnson tweeted.
“Right now my thoughts are on the person he loves. We all wish him well,” he continued.
Support for Rushdie from Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron called Rushdie, who is now being treated in hospital, as someone who is able to “realize freedom”.
Reported AFP, Saturday (13/8/2022), French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for Rushdie via Twitter. Rushdie, he said, had embodied freedom.
“For 33 years, Salman Rushdie has embodied freedom and the struggle against obscurantism… His struggle is ours, the universal struggle. More than ever, we are by his side,” Macron wrote in a statement.
Iranian Media Praise Stabbing
Iran’s ultra-conservative newspaper, Kayhan, praised the stabbed gunman Salman Rushdie until he was injured and is now being treated at the hospital. Rushdie is known to have been the target of an Iranian fatwa since 1989 calling for his assassination.
“Bravo to the brave man and aware of his duty who attacked the apostate and lecherous Salman Rushdie in New York,” wrote the Kayhan newspaper, whose editor-in-chief was appointed by Iran’s current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as reported by AFP.
“Let’s kiss the hands of those who tear the necks of God’s enemies with knives,” Kayhan newspaper added in its writing.
Who is Salman Rushdie? See on the next page.