AUTHOR Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born novelist, was attacked on stage at an event in New York today.
The novelist suffered a "stab wound to the neck," according to a New York State Police press release, at approximately 11am on Friday at the Chautauqua Institution just before he was due to give a lecture.
Guests and speakers were successfully evacuated at the time of the attack.
The suspect is currently in custody and Rushdie is being treated, according to reports.
His condition, according to the NYSD, is currently unknown.
Read our Salman Rushdie blog for news and updates…
- Amanda Castro
Rushdie's early life
During the British Raj, on June 19, 1947, Ahmed Salman Rushdie was born in Bombay to a Muslim Indian family from Kashmir. He has three sisters.
He is the son of Cambridge-educated lawyer and businessman Anis Ahmed Rushdie and teacher Negin Bhatt.
After it was discovered that the birth certificate he had filed had been altered to make him look younger than he actually was, Anis Ahmed Rushdie was fired from the Indian Civil Services.
In his 2012 autobiography, he claimed that his father took the name Rushdie in honor of Averroes, per his Wikipedia profile.
- Amanda Castro
Footage of the attack on Twitter
A Twitter user was able to record footage of Salman Rushdie's attack this morning and the chaos that followed from spectators.
- Amanda Castro
Update from the NYSD: 'stab wound to the neck'
According to an update from the New York State Police, Salman Rushdie "suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital.
"His condition is not yet known."
- Amanda Castro
Iran's 'anti-Rushdie' sentiments
Although the Iranian government had long ago distanced itself from Khomeini's order, animosity for Rushdie persisted, according to a Yahoo article.
Rushdie's reward was increased from $2.8million to $3.3million in 2012 by a semi-official Iranian religious institution, per the outlet.
At the time, Rushdie rejected the threat, claiming there was "no evidence" that anyone would be interested in the reward.
- Amanda Castro
Blood on walls at Chautauqua Institution
According to images from the scene, there were splatters of blood on the walls in the Chautauqua Insitute after the attack on author Salman Rushdie just before his lecture.
An Associated Press reporter saw a man approach the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and start "punching or stabbing" Rushdie.
The author was carried off or knocked to the ground, and the attacker was bound.
- Amanda Castro
Chautauqua spokesperson on attack
A Chautauqua official who declined to further comment or confirm specifics regarding the event said that medical personnel and police were sent to the amphitheater, according to CNN.
- Amanda Castro
What happened at the Chautauqua Institution amphitheater?
An audience member rushed toward Rushdie as he took the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York to deliver a lecture.
An Associated Press reporter who attended the talk says that the person started striking or stabbing Rushdie but was swiftly stopped.
- Amanda Castro
Rushdie's honors in the world of literature
Rushdie was chosen to be a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1983. In 1999, the French government named him Commandeur of l'Ordre des Arts and des Lettres, per his Wikipedia profile.
He received a knighthood in 2007 for his contributions to literature.He was placed thirteenth on The Times' 2008 list of the top 50 British authors since 1945.
Rushdie has resided in the US since the year 2000. In 2015, the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University designated him Distinguished Writer in Residence.
He had previously taught at Emory University. The American Academy of Arts and Letters chose him for membership. In response to the uproar surrounding The Satanic Verses, he released Joseph Anton: A Memoir in 2012, which is an account of his life.
- Amanda Castro
Who is Salmon Rushdie?
Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born novelist whose work combines magical realism with historical fiction.
Much of his work is centered on the Indian subcontinent and is particularly concerned with the links, interruptions, and migrations between Eastern and Western cultures.
- Amanda Castro
Death threats from Iran leader
Iran has outlawed Rushdie's The Satanic Verses since 1988 because many Muslims view it as disrespectful.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late president of Iran, called for Rushdie's execution in a fatwa, or decree, that was published a year later.
Iran has allegedly offered a reward of more than $3million for the murder of Rushdie, according to NewsTimes.
- Amanda Castro
What was Rushdie doing in New York?
In the 1980s, Salman Rushdie received death threats from Iran because of his writing.
On Friday, as he prepared to deliver a lecture in western New York, he was assaulted.
As Rushdie was being presented, an Associated Press reporter saw a guy attack the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and start hitting or stabbing Rushdie.
The author was carried off or knocked to the ground, and the guy was bound.
Source: Read Full Article
