About our Salman Rushdie news
Latest news on Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born British-American novelist who is known for his allegorical novels that explore historical and philosophical issues through surreal characters and melodramatic prose. He is also a controversial figure who has faced death threats and attacks for his portrayal of Islam and Muhammad in some of his works, especially The Satanic Verses (1988).
Rushdie has also written essays, memoirs, short stories, children's books, and screenplays. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his services to literature.
However, Rushdie's life and career have also been marked by controversy and violence. His fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, sparked protests and riots across the Muslim world for its depiction of Muhammad and his companions as flawed human beings who were influenced by Satan. In 1989, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa (a religious decree) calling for Rushdie's death and offering a bounty for his assassination. Rushdie had to go into hiding for nearly a decade, living under police protection and changing his identity. Several people associated with the book were attacked or killed, including translators, publishers, and bookshop owners.
The fatwa was never officially lifted, although Iran's government distanced itself from it in 1998. However, some Iranian religious groups have continued to offer rewards for killing Rushdie. Rushdie has also faced criticism from some other religious and political groups for his views on Islam, secularism, free speech, and human rights.
In 2023, Rushdie was stabbed on stage at an event in New York state by a man identified as Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old from New Jersey. Rushdie was about to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution when he was attacked. He suffered injuries to his neck and abdomen and lost vision in one eye. He underwent surgery and spent six weeks in hospital. Matar was arrested and charged with attempted murder. The motive for the attack is still unknown, but police are working with the FBI to investigate if it was related to Rushdie's writings or views.
Rushdie has spoken for the first time about the attack in an interview with The New Yorker. He said he was grateful to be alive but that he was still struggling with physical and mental scars. He said he had difficulty writing and that he had to rethink his approach to security. He also said he hoped to finish his new novel, Victory City, which is about a nine-year-old girl who has a divine encounter that will change the course of history.