Author Salman Rushdie was attacked onstage and stabbed multiple times at a New York event. He has been rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Author Salman Rushdie has been rushed to the hospital after being attacked onstage and stabbed multiple times at an appearance in New York. The perpetrator has been taken into custody. Rushdie’s current status remains unknown. 

According to reports from the Associated Press, Rushdie was at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, where he was about to give a lecture. Just as the author was being introduced, a man stormed the stage and attacked him. Rushdie fell to the floor, and the man was apprehended almost immediately. 

According to latest reports by the New York State Police, the author suffered a stab wound to the neck. “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 statement read. 

The identity of the man who attacked the 75-year-old author remains unknown, as do his motives. Rushdie has been a contentious figure in Iran and many Muslim communities for his book The Satanic Verses, considered blasphemous by many. 

The book was banned in Iran in 1988, and a year later, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued an order and a three million USD bounty to anyone who killed the author. 

The attack on Rushdie has been condemned in social spheres. 

Suzanne Nossel, CEO of Pen America – of which Rushdie is the former president – said that the institution was ‘reeling from shock and horror’ at the ‘premeditated’ attack on Rushdie. 

“We can think of no comparable incident of a public violent attack on a literary writer on American soil.” she said. “Salman Rushdie has been targeted for his words for decades but has never flinched nor faltered.  He has devoted tireless energy to assisting others who are vulnerable and menaced.” 

Others pointed out that social media – in particular Twitter – had done little to curb the death threats against the author. 

“In light of the Salman Rushdie news, it’s worth noting that Twitter has allowed an account associated with the Ayatollah to remain on its platform after tweeting death threats against the author.” said Ryan Mac, reporter at The New York Times. 

This is a developing story. 

Read PEN America’s statement on the attack on Salman Rushdie:

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