The author received death threats from Iran in the 1980s for his book The Satanic Verses.
Controversial author Sir Salman Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, has reportedly been attacked on stage in front of a packed crowd at an event in New York.
Distraught witnesses spoke of a “most horrible event” after the Satanic Verses novelist, 75, was assaulted before the packed venue was evacuated.
An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Sir Salman as he was being introduced. The author was taken, or fell to the floor, and the man was restrained.
The amphitheatre was evacuated immediately after the incident, although the attacker is now said to be in police custody.
An eyewitness wrote on social media: “A most horrible event just happened at #chautauquainstitution – Salman Rushdie was attacked on stage at #chq2022.
“The amphitheatre is evacuated. The attacker is in custody.
“Please hold Mr. Rushdie and all of the Institution in prayer. We are all incredibly traumatized..”
Sir Salman’s book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous, and he collects many Death Fatwas from Mosques all-around the World.
Source: Stoke Sentinel