The Indian-born author has enjoyed great success during his literary career of five decades – but he has also faced death threats for some of the content in his work.
It was Rushdie’s fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, which became his most controversial book – and he was forced to go into hiding as a result of the backlash.
Let’s take a closer look at the 75-year-old writer’s life:
Born in Bombay – modern-day Mumbai – in 1947, he was educated in England and allowed his Muslim faith to lapseHis acclaimed second novel, Midnight’s Children, won the Booker Prize in 1981His book The Satanic Verses sparked international turmoil and sometimes deadly protests following its publication in 1988. Some Muslims accused Rushdie of blasphemyRushdie went into hiding for nine years after receiving death threats year after the book’s publication, Iran’s then supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa – or decree – calling for his assassinationOthers who were involved with translating the book were attacked, even killedIran stopped formally backing the fatwa in 1998Rushdie continued writing books afterwards and published an account of the controversy in 2012He has two children, lives in the US, and was knighted by the Queen in 2007 for his services to literature
Attack venue asks for prayers after ‘tragic incident’
The venue of today’s attack has released a statement asking for prayers for Rushdie and Henry Reese – who was interviewing the author and also suffered a minor head injury.
The Chautauqua Institution, an education centre in New York state, says all events scheduled for Friday have been cancelled following the “tragic incident”.
Rushdie’s publishers condemn violent assault
Salman Rushdie’s publishers Penguin Random House have joined the condemnation of the attack, describing it as a “violent public assault”.
Quote Message: We are deeply shocked and appalled to hear of the attack on Salman Rushdie while he was speaking at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. We condemn this violent public assault, and our thoughts are with Salman and his family at this distressing time. from Markus Dohle CEO, Penguin Random House
We are deeply shocked and appalled to hear of the attack on Salman Rushdie while he was speaking at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. We condemn this violent public assault, and our thoughts are with Salman and his family at this distressing time.
Markus DohleCEO, Penguin Random House
No update on Rushdie’s condition – agent
We’re getting a little more from Salman Rushdie’s literary agent, who just confirmed he was in surgery.
Andrew Wylie tells the BBC’s US partner station CBS that he doesn’t have an update on Rushdie’s condition – but says he will pass on any news when he gets it.
Rushdie reportedly struck many times
Another account of the attack comes from John Nolen from US network CBS, who had family members in the audience of the event.
The assailant – who appeared to a man with a knife – is said to have struck Rushdie many times in the neck and torso area.
Rushdie reportedly stood up and fell backwards as he tried to get away. A number of people came to his aid and others restrained the attacker, Nolen says.
There appeared to be blood splattered on the screen behind Rushdie’s chair
Credit: BBC