Salman Rushdie Stabbed on Stage During Event in New York

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In 1988, author Salman Rushdie wrote a book titled “The Satanic Verses.” Many Muslims consider the book to be blasphemous, making fun of the Islamic religion. The book has been banned in Iran, and there have been protests against Rushdie. There is even a bounty of more than $3 million for anyone who is able to kill Rushdie.

Rushdie was forced to go into hiding. The British government protection program has been helping him hide and the program even includes an armed security guard who is with him 24/7.

After 9 years of being in hiding, Rushdie dared to start doing public appearances. Rushdie was scheduled to speak on stage earlier today in Chautauqua, New York, at The Chautauqua Institution which is in rural New York about 55 miles from Buffalo. This was not the first time he had spoken at the institution.

Just moments after Rushdie sat down on stage, and while he was still being introduced, a man rushed the stage and stabbed the 75-year-old man. People in the audience at first thought that Rushdie was being punched by the man, but he was actually stabbed about 10 to 15 times.

There were hundreds of people in the audience, and they were rushed out of the auditorium. Meanwhile, the attacker was arrested, and Rushdie was taken to the hospital by helicopter.

Rabbi Charles Savenor was one of the people in the audience. He told The Associated Press, “This guy ran on to platform and started pounding on Mr. Rushdie. At first you’re like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then it became abundantly clear in a few seconds that he was being beaten.” Savenor said the attack lasted about 20 seconds before the attacker was restrained. Although it looked like Rushdie was being beaten, he was actually stabbed.

American University professor Carl LeVan was also in the audience. He told The Washington Post that the attacker stabbed Rushdie “repeatedly, with determination.” He saw Rushdie fall on the floor, and then security guards and some audience members ran on stage to try to help him.

The New York state police have issued a statement regarding the attack. They wrote, “On August 12, 2022, at about 11 a.m., a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. The interviewer suffered a minor head injury.”