The stabbing of Sir Salman Rushdie has surprised and saddened fellow authors and world leaders, with many hailing him as a champion of free speech.
After being rushed to the hospital and enduring hours of surgery following the attack in New York state, the 75-year-old remains on a ventilator.
After being rushed to the hospital and enduring hours of surgery following the attack in New York state, the 75-year-old remains on a ventilator.
And while letters of solidarity have been flooding in from many nations for the British author of Indian descent, in Iran – where The Satanic Verses has prompted death threats – others have cheered the attack.
Ian McEwan, a fellow author, commented: “This heinous assault on my dear friend Salman is an assault on freedom of thought and expression.
“These freedoms are the foundation of all our rights and privileges. Salman has been an exemplary advocate for persecuted writers and journalists worldwide.”
The creator of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, described the news as “horrifying.”
“I’m now feeling pretty ill. Let him be ok “She said in a tweet.
Norwegian William Nygaard, who was shot and seriously wounded in 1993 after publishing Sir Salman’s work, stated, “He is a leading author who has made a significant contribution to literature, and he had found a good life in America.”
Stephen King, who has sold millions of copies of his horror novels, tweeted: “I pray Salman Rushdie is okay,” adding: “What kind of hat, anyway, stabs a writer? F**!”
Boris Johnson remarked, “Sir Salman Rushdie was attacked while exercising a right that we should never stop defending.
Everyone hopes he will be okay.
Interior Minister Priti Patel tweeted: “Sir Salman Rushdie’s unjustified and stupid assault has me shocked and outraged.
“Freedom of expression is a cherished principle and attempts to erode it cannot be permitted. I am thinking of Sir Salman and his family.”
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of Labour, stated on Twitter: “The awful assault on Salman Rushdie in New York is beyond description. I wish him the best during this horrible moment. This violence is an assault on free expression and is never an acceptable response. His attacker must be immediately brought to justice.”
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, added: “The attack on Salman Rushdie was reprehensible. My hopes and prayers are with him, his loved ones, and his close pals.”
President Macron of France tweeted: “Salman Rushdie has symbolized freedom and the fight against obscurantism for the past 33 years… His fight is our fight, a universal conflict.”
Michael Rosen, the author of children’s books, tweeted: “Rushdie. Horrific. I wish for him healing and a life of tranquility. Absolute denunciation of the act as well as its motivations and political context.”
Author and comedian David Baddiel tweeted: “What has happened to Salman Rushdie is abhorrent. It is equally abhorrent that some would believe he brought it on himself or therefore deserved it.”
And Nigella Lawson said: “Such awful news on the stabbing of Salman Rushdie. This is dreadful. Am distraught. Please allow him to be okay.”
Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, stated: “Today, the nation and the world watched a heinous assault on the author Salman Rushdie. This violent act is abhorrent.
“We are all praying for his rapid recovery within the Biden-Harris administration. We are grateful to the decent individuals and first responders who assisted Mr. Rushdie so swiftly after the attack, as well as to law enforcement for their ongoing speedy and effective efforts.”
And Suzanne Nossel of the free speech organization Pen America stated, “While we do not know the origins or motives of this attack, all those around the world who have met words with violence or called for the same are responsible for legitimizing this assault on a writer who was engaged in his essential work of communicating with readers.
There has been no official statement from the Iranian regime on the incident, although numerous conservative Iranian newspapers have welcomed it.
“A thousand bravos… to the courageous and obedient individual who attacked the apostate and evil Salman Rushdie in New York,” the Kayhan daily proclaimed.
The hand of the man who severed God’s enemy’s neck must be kissed.
The headline of another publication, the Khorasan daily, read, “Satan on his way to hell.”
