NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “appalled” to learn of the attack on author Salman Rushdie, saying the violence is in no way a response to words spoken or written by others in the exercise of the freedoms of opinion and expression.
“The Secretary-General was appalled to learn of the attack on the famous novelist salman Rushdie,” said a statement released Friday by his spokesperson.
“In no way is the violence a response to words spoken or written by others in the exercise of their freedoms of opinion and expression,” Guterres said, conveying his wishes for Rushdie’s speedy recovery.
The New York Times (NYT) reported that according to Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, the controversial Mumbai-born author was on a ventilator and couldn’t speak.
“The news is not good. Salman will likely lose an eye, the nerves in his arm were severed and his liver was stabbed and damaged,” Wylie said in a statement to the NYT.
Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing ‘The Satanic Verses,’ was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident at an event in the west of the state from New York.
Hadi Matar (24) of Fairview, New Jersey has been identified as the suspect who stabbed Rushdie, New York State Police Maj. Eugene Staniszewski said at a news conference Friday night.
Rushdie (75) was stabbed in the neck while on stage at the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit community on Lake Chautauqua in southwestern New York State, where approximately 7,500 people reside daily for a nine-week season.
Staniszewski said Rushdie received medical attention from a doctor in the audience until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene. “The doctor immediately started first aid” on Rushdie. The perpetrator was then airlifted to a local trauma center and “undergoing surgery” at around 5 p.m. local time, several hours after the attack which occurred around 10.47 a.m.
Responding to a question about Matar’s nationality, Staniszewski replied, “I don’t know yet.”
When asked how he would describe Rushdie’s condition, Staniszewski said, “We’re trying to get an update and that’s something we’re watching closely.”
He said authorities were “obtaining search warrants for various items. There was a backpack at the scene. There were also electronic devices” and added that at present , it is assumed that the suspect was “working alone”.
He said authorities had no indication of a motive “at this time. But we are working with the FBI, the sheriff’s office and we will determine what the cause was and what the motive was for this attack.”
Rushdie was set to speak at the Chautauqua Lecture Series special event exploring the theme ‘More Than Shelter’ for a ‘discussion of the United States as a haven for writers and others. artists in exile and as a home for freedom of creative expression”.
He was joined by Henry Reeseco-founder of Pittsburgh nonprofit City of Asylum, the world’s largest residency program for writers living in exile under threat of persecution.
Staniszewski said around 10:47 a.m. local time, Rushdie and Reese (73) had just arrived on stage at the Chautauqua facility for the event. “A short time later, the suspect jumped onto the stage and attacked Rushdie, stabbing him at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen.”
Staniszewski said several institution staff and members of the public rushed to the suspect and took him to the ground. A New York State Police trooper, who was at the facility, took the suspect into custody with the assistance of a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Reese was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, treated for facial injuries and then released, authorities said.
State police are being assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI in the investigation. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt will determine “appropriate charges as the investigation continues,” authorities said.
Chautauqua Institution President Michael Hill said the organization is holding Rushdie and Reese and their families “close in prayer at this hour.”
“What we experienced at Chautauqua today is an unprecedented incident in our nearly 150-year history. We were founded to bring people together in community, to learn, and in doing so, create solutions through action, developing empathy and confronting unsolvable problems. Today we are called upon to confront fear and the worst of all human traits. Hatred,” Hill said.
Countering Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace said his thoughts and prayers are with Rushdie and his family after suffering the “senseless” attack on his life.
“Rushdie is a champion of free speech who has lived under the threat of assassination since the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa against him in 1989. Despite continued calls to his execution by the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, Rushdie refused to be intimidated. His bravery and commitment to his values should be celebrated at this difficult time,” Wallace said.
“The Secretary-General was appalled to learn of the attack on the famous novelist salman Rushdie,” said a statement released Friday by his spokesperson.
“In no way is the violence a response to words spoken or written by others in the exercise of their freedoms of opinion and expression,” Guterres said, conveying his wishes for Rushdie’s speedy recovery.
The New York Times (NYT) reported that according to Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, the controversial Mumbai-born author was on a ventilator and couldn’t speak.
“The news is not good. Salman will likely lose an eye, the nerves in his arm were severed and his liver was stabbed and damaged,” Wylie said in a statement to the NYT.
Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing ‘The Satanic Verses,’ was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident at an event in the west of the state from New York.
Hadi Matar (24) of Fairview, New Jersey has been identified as the suspect who stabbed Rushdie, New York State Police Maj. Eugene Staniszewski said at a news conference Friday night.
Rushdie (75) was stabbed in the neck while on stage at the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit community on Lake Chautauqua in southwestern New York State, where approximately 7,500 people reside daily for a nine-week season.
Staniszewski said Rushdie received medical attention from a doctor in the audience until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene. “The doctor immediately started first aid” on Rushdie. The perpetrator was then airlifted to a local trauma center and “undergoing surgery” at around 5 p.m. local time, several hours after the attack which occurred around 10.47 a.m.
Responding to a question about Matar’s nationality, Staniszewski replied, “I don’t know yet.”
When asked how he would describe Rushdie’s condition, Staniszewski said, “We’re trying to get an update and that’s something we’re watching closely.”
He said authorities were “obtaining search warrants for various items. There was a backpack at the scene. There were also electronic devices” and added that at present , it is assumed that the suspect was “working alone”.
He said authorities had no indication of a motive “at this time. But we are working with the FBI, the sheriff’s office and we will determine what the cause was and what the motive was for this attack.”
Rushdie was set to speak at the Chautauqua Lecture Series special event exploring the theme ‘More Than Shelter’ for a ‘discussion of the United States as a haven for writers and others. artists in exile and as a home for freedom of creative expression”.
He was joined by Henry Reeseco-founder of Pittsburgh nonprofit City of Asylum, the world’s largest residency program for writers living in exile under threat of persecution.
Staniszewski said around 10:47 a.m. local time, Rushdie and Reese (73) had just arrived on stage at the Chautauqua facility for the event. “A short time later, the suspect jumped onto the stage and attacked Rushdie, stabbing him at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen.”
Staniszewski said several institution staff and members of the public rushed to the suspect and took him to the ground. A New York State Police trooper, who was at the facility, took the suspect into custody with the assistance of a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Reese was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, treated for facial injuries and then released, authorities said.
State police are being assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI in the investigation. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt will determine “appropriate charges as the investigation continues,” authorities said.
Chautauqua Institution President Michael Hill said the organization is holding Rushdie and Reese and their families “close in prayer at this hour.”
“What we experienced at Chautauqua today is an unprecedented incident in our nearly 150-year history. We were founded to bring people together in community, to learn, and in doing so, create solutions through action, developing empathy and confronting unsolvable problems. Today we are called upon to confront fear and the worst of all human traits. Hatred,” Hill said.
Countering Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace said his thoughts and prayers are with Rushdie and his family after suffering the “senseless” attack on his life.
“Rushdie is a champion of free speech who has lived under the threat of assassination since the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa against him in 1989. Despite continued calls to his execution by the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, Rushdie refused to be intimidated. His bravery and commitment to his values should be celebrated at this difficult time,” Wallace said.
