The trial of an individual accused of brutally assaulting acclaimed British-Indian author Salman Rushdie in 2022, resulting in severe injuries including blindness in one eye, is set to commence in upstate New York. Hadi Matar, a 27-year-old from New Jersey, is facing charges of attempted murder and assault and has entered a plea of not guilty. The incident, captured on video, took place at the historic Chautauqua Institute in northwestern New York, where Rushdie was scheduled to deliver a lecture. The trial, to be held in Mayville, will be overseen by a jury and will feature testimonies from multiple witnesses, including Rushdie himself. Matar was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement following the attack.
The assault on Rushdie occurred during his planned lecture at the Chautauqua Institute, where he intended to discuss the United States as a sanctuary for exiled writers. Prosecutors claim that Matar rushed onto the stage during the lecture and violently attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie sustained multiple stab wounds, including to his neck and abdomen, resulting in liver damage. Rushdie was airlifted to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he underwent surgery and required ventilator support. Attendees of the lecture witnessed the shocking incident, with video footage depicting the chaotic aftermath as individuals rushed to assist Rushdie.
Throughout his career, Rushdie has faced death threats due to his controversial novel “The Satanic Verses,” published in 1988. The novel, drawing inspiration from the life of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, sparked outrage within certain Muslim communities, leading to accusations of blasphemy and bans in various countries. These threats compelled Rushdie to live in seclusion for nearly a decade, often accompanied by security measures. Despite a belief that the threats against him had lessened in recent years, the attack on Rushdie reignited concerns over his safety.
Hadi Matar, the main suspect in this case, hails from Fairview, New Jersey, and is of Lebanese descent. Following his arrest, authorities initially struggled to discern a motive for the attack. In an interview conducted from jail with the New York Post, Matar expressed admiration for Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s supreme leader, who famously issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s execution after the publication of “The Satanic Verses.” Matar did not confirm whether his actions were influenced by the fatwa but admitted to limited exposure to the novel. He cited a social media post announcing Rushdie’s visit as his inspiration for attending the Chautauqua event, criticizing Rushdie’s perceived views on Islam.
Alongside the local charges, Matar faces additional federal charges for allegedly providing support to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. An indictment detailing these accusations was recently disclosed.
Last July, Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization by Western states, Israel, Gulf Arab countries, and the Arab League, was at the center of attention. Mr. Matar, embroiled in a case in Chautauqua County, has maintained his innocence. His legal team attempted to move the trial to another county, citing concerns about an unfair trial due to the lack of an Arab-American community in the area and the substantial publicity surrounding the case. Currently in custody at the Chautauqua County Jail, Mr. Matar faces a maximum of 32 years in prison if convicted of both attempted murder and assault.
Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa against Salman Rushdie stirred deep controversy in the Islamic world. The publication of Rushdie’s book led to widespread anger among Muslims, with death threats issued against the author. Forced into hiding and placed under police protection by the British government, Rushdie faced severe consequences. Iran’s decision to sever ties with the UK in protest underscored the gravity of the situation. A year post the release of The Satanic Verses, Ayatollah Khomeini called for Rushdie’s execution, offering a $3 million reward in a fatwa issued by the religious leader. The fallout from the fatwa was deadly, with protests claiming numerous lives and individuals associated with the book, such as the Japanese translator, meeting tragic fates.
The threat against Rushdie remains active, despite efforts by Iran’s government to distance itself from Khomeini’s decree. An additional $500,000 was added to the reward by an Iranian religious foundation in 2012. Denying any involvement in the attack, Iran faced accusations while some of its media outlets praised the assault on Rushdie, labeling him an apostate. Rushdie endured significant injuries from the attack, including liver damage, loss of vision in one eye, and a paralyzed hand due to nerve damage in his arm. Reflecting on the incident in his memoir “Knife,” Rushdie expressed mixed emotions about testifying in court.
As the trial unfolds, Rushdie contemplates facing his alleged attacker, expressing a sense of detachment and resignation towards the situation. Despite the physical and emotional toll of the attack, Rushdie’s resilience shines through as he navigates the aftermath of a harrowing experience that forever altered his life.
