Tessa Quinn
On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times while speaking at an event in New York. The Indian-born British-American novelist was airlifted to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, and underwent surgery for his injuries, which included wounds to the neck, stomach, eye, chest, and thigh. Rushdie spent 17 days in the hospital and then spent over three weeks at a rehabilitation center. He suffered severe injuries, including nerve damage that left him blind in one eye, and his recovery is expected to be a long process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salman Rushdie's current hospital status | Not in the hospital |
| Salman Rushdie's hospitalisation history | Hospitalised for 17 days in August 2022 |
| Salman Rushdie's injuries | Multiple stab wounds, severed nerves in an arm, damaged liver, and lost vision in one eye |
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What You'll Learn
- Salman Rushdie's attacker, Hadi Matar, was sentenced to 25 years in prison
- Rushdie spent 17 days in hospital and three weeks in a rehabilitation centre
- The author has since published a book about the attack, titled 'Knife'
- The attack came 35 years after the release of his controversial novel, 'The Satanic Verses'
- The Iranian government has denied having foreknowledge of the stabbing
Salman Rushdie's attacker, Hadi Matar, was sentenced to 25 years in prison
On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie was on stage at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, about to give a lecture on the importance of the US offering asylum to writers and artists in exile. As he was being introduced, a man wearing a black mask and wielding a knife stormed the stage and began to assault Rushdie. The attacker, later identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar, stabbed or punched Rushdie multiple times, inflicting wounds to the author's neck, eye, chest, stomach, and thigh.
Rushdie was airlifted to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he underwent surgery and was placed on a ventilator. His agent, Andrew Wylie, said that Rushdie had suffered severe injuries, including severed nerves in his arm and damage to his liver, and that he was likely to lose one eye.
Matar was arrested at the scene and charged with assault and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder in February 2025. During the trial, Rushdie testified about the attack, describing how he suddenly became aware of "a very large quantity of blood pouring out onto my clothes."
On 16 May 2025, Matar was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attack on Rushdie, as well as seven years, to be served concurrently, for assaulting Ralph Henry Reese, the moderator of the event who tried to stop the attack and was injured as a result. Judge David W. Foley of the Chautauqua County Court said that Matar's assault was against not only a man but also the right to free expression. Matar's lawyers argued for a lighter sentence, citing his lack of criminal record and his age at the time of the attack, but the judge expressed concern about Matar possibly committing a similar act again. Matar has said he will appeal the sentence.
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Rushdie spent 17 days in hospital and three weeks in a rehabilitation centre
On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times while speaking at an event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. The Indian-born British-American novelist was airlifted to hospital and underwent surgery for his injuries, which included wounds to the neck, stomach, eye, chest, and thigh. He suffered severe damage, including severed nerves in an arm and an eye, and liver damage.
The road to recovery for Rushdie was expected to be lengthy due to the severity of his injuries. He faced the possibility of permanent vision loss in one eye, in addition to liver damage and nerve damage in his arm. These injuries required specialized care and extensive rehabilitation to help him regain his health and mobility.
The rehabilitation centre provided Rushdie with the necessary medical attention and therapeutic interventions to address his specific needs. He received physical therapy to regain strength and mobility, as well as occupational therapy to relearn daily living skills and adapt to any lasting impairments. Psychological support was also likely provided to help him cope with the mental and emotional impact of the attack and adjust to any physical or cognitive changes.
The three weeks that Rushdie spent in the rehabilitation centre were crucial for his recovery. It allowed him time to heal, regain physical function, and develop strategies to manage any ongoing challenges. The specialized care and intensive rehabilitation he received played a vital role in his overall recovery process, enabling him to gradually regain his independence and return to his regular life.
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The author has since published a book about the attack, titled 'Knife'
On 12 August 2022, author Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times while speaking at an event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. The Indian-born British-American novelist was airlifted to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, and underwent surgery for his injuries, which included wounds to the neck, stomach, eye, chest, and thigh. Rushdie suffered ten knife injuries and faced the possibility of losing an eye, in addition to liver damage and severed nerves in his arm and eye.
Since the attack, Rushdie has published a book titled "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder," in which he recounts the attack and the days and weeks in the hospital afterward. The book is Rushdie's second memoir and provides a courageous defence of free speech. It is described as "good but uneven" by Vulture, with the literary and film references in the book running deep. The first chapter, in which Rushdie recounts the attack itself, contains some of the most precise and chilling prose of his career.
In the book, Rushdie imagines a series of extended encounters with his attacker, whom he prefers not to name, referring to him as "the A." He vividly recalls the moments of violent "intimacy" with his attacker, who has yet to stand trial. Rushdie also writes about how he only raised his left hand during the attack, too stunned to try to protect himself.
"Knife" is a courageous defence of free speech and a testament to Rushdie's resilience and advocacy for persecuted writers and journalists worldwide. It is a powerful statement against the threats and violence that writers and artists in exile often face.
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The attack came 35 years after the release of his controversial novel, 'The Satanic Verses'
It has been revealed that acclaimed author Salman Rushdie is still hospitalized and his condition remains serious, following a shocking attack on him during a lecture in New York. This assault, which left the writer with severe injuries, occurred almost 35 years after the publication of his controversial novel, 'The Satanic Verses'. The book's release in 1988 sparked immediate controversy and led to a fatwa, or religious ruling, issued by Iran's supreme leader at the time, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, calling for Rushdie's death. The novel was deemed blasphemous by many Muslims due to its depiction of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran.
The fatwa offered a reward for Rushdie's assassination, forcing him into hiding and under police protection for several years. The threat to his life was so severe that a bounty was put on his head, and the Japanese translator of the book was murdered, while the Italian translator was stabbed. Despite the danger, Rushdie continued to write and speak publicly, defending freedom of expression and creativity. Over time, the immediate threat seemed to lessen, and he was able to live a more public life, though the fatwa was never officially lifted.
The recent attack on Rushdie's life brings the controversy surrounding 'The Satanic Verses' back into the spotlight. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing risks faced by those who dare to express views that challenge religious or cultural norms. Even though three decades have passed since the book's release, the attempt on Rushdie's life demonstrates that the anger and outrage it provoked among some groups remain potent.
The novel's publication sparked protests and book burnings worldwide, and it was banned in many countries, including India, where Rushdie was born. The controversy also caused a deep rift in the literary world, with some authors and publishers defending the book as a work of art and an exercise in free speech, while others criticized it as needlessly provocative and insensitive to Muslim sentiments.
'The Satanic Verses' is not the only work by Rushdie to court controversy. His novel 'Midnight's Children', published in 1981, was also criticized for its portrayal of India and its political figures. However, 'The Satanic Verses' stands out as the most contentious and the one that has had the most profound impact on his life and career. The attack on Salman Rushdie has shocked and outraged people worldwide, and many have expressed their support for him and their condemnation of the assault.
The aftermath of this attack remains uncertain, but the incident has undoubtedly brought renewed attention to 'The Satanic Verses' and the issues of free expression and artistic freedom that it raised.
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The Iranian government has denied having foreknowledge of the stabbing
Salman Rushdie Stabbing: The Iranian Government Denies Foreknowledge
On 12 August 2022, acclaimed author Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times while speaking at an event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. The Indian-born British-American novelist was gravely wounded and hospitalized, suffering from ten knife injuries, including wounds to the neck, stomach, eye, chest, and thigh. Rushdie had to undergo surgery and was placed on a ventilator, unable to speak. His literary agent, Andrew Wylie, stated that Rushdie faced the possibility of losing an eye and suffering liver damage and severed nerves in one arm.
The attacker, 24-year-old Hadi Matar, was arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder. Matar's motive for the attack is unclear, but it may be linked to the controversy surrounding Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses." Published in 1988, the book garnered critical acclaim and death threats from hardliner Shia Muslims. In 1989, a year after its publication, the Iranian Supreme Leader at the time, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie's assassination and set a $3 million bounty on his head.
Despite the Iranian government's denial of involvement in the stabbing, Iranian state media celebrated the attack. U.S. officials and the Biden administration believe that elements of the Iranian regime are liable for encouraging attacks on Rushdie due to their support for the fatwa. Additionally, before his arrest, Matar allegedly had contact with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, a branch of Iran's military, according to Vice News, citing intelligence sources.
The stabbing of Salman Rushdie has sparked international outrage and condemnation. Authors, activists, and government officials have praised Rushdie's courage and advocacy for free speech. The incident has also brought attention to the ongoing threats and violence against writers and journalists who are perceived as critics of certain regimes or ideologies.
While Rushdie's condition has improved, and he is reported to be on the road to recovery, the injuries he sustained are severe and life-changing. The long-term impact of the attack on his health and life remains to be seen.
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Frequently asked questions
No, he spent 17 days at a hospital in Pennsylvania and was then transferred to a rehabilitation center in New York City, where he spent over three weeks.
On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times while speaking at an event in New York. He suffered wounds to his neck, stomach, eye, chest, and thigh, and faced the possibility of losing an eye, liver damage, and nerve damage in an arm.
Hadi Matar, 27, was convicted of stabbing Rushdie and sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder and assault.
Salman Rushdie's fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses," led to a fatwa being issued against him by the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 due to its depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, which was considered blasphemous by some Muslims.
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