Rushdie is the author of The Satanic Verses, a novel that prompted death threats in the 1980s.
Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born novelist whose book The Satanic Verses drew death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on stage Friday morning just before ‘be about to speak at a literary festival in Chautauqua, upstate New York.
Rushdie was taken to a hospital and details about his condition are still unknown.
Here are the reactions to the attack.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul:
“Our thoughts are with Salman and his loved ones following this horrific event.”
New York United States Senator Chuck Schumer
“This attack is shocking and appalling. It is an attack on freedom of speech and thought, which are two fundamental values of our country and the Chautauqua Institution.”
Jodie Ginsberg, president of the Committee to Protect Journalists
“Shocking news. Salman Rushdie has always been a staunch supporter of everyone’s rights to speak freely. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad
“You can kill us, but you cannot kill the idea of writing and fighting for our dignity. I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie. After surviving a kidnapping and an assassination plot in New York, I will not feel safe on American soil until the US takes strong action against terrorism.”
You can kill us, but you cannot kill the idea of writing and fighting for our dignity. I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie. After surviving a kidnapping and assassination plot in New York, I won’t feel safe on American soil until the US takes strong action against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AGEwlxWFxQ
— Masih Alinejad (@AlinejadMasih) August 12, 2022
British author JK Rowling
“I feel so sick right now. Be well.”
American author Stephen King
“I hope Salman Rushdie is well.”
I hope Salman Rushdie is well.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 12, 2022
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson
“Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never stop defending. My thoughts are with his loved ones right now. We all hope he is well.”
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel
“Shocked and horrified to learn of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family.”
Horrible news.
— JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2022
Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the free speech organization Pen America
“We can think of no comparable incident of a public attack on a literary writer on American soil…Salman Rushdie has been the target of his words for decades, but he has never wavered or wavered. He has devoted a tireless energy to help others who are vulnerable and threatened.Although we do not know the origins or motives of this attack, all those around the world who have found words with violence or called for the same are guilty of legitimizing this attack on a writer while he was engaged in his essential task of connecting with readers.”.
Norwegian publisher William Nygaard, who was shot and wounded in 1993 after publishing Rushdie’s work
“Rushdie has paid a high price. He is an outstanding author who has meant a lot to literature and had found a good life in America.”
UK Culture Minister Nadine Dorries:
“Horrible. A terrible attack on a literary giant and one of the greatest defenders of free speech. Thoughts with @SalmanRushdie and his loved ones.”