White House condemns attack on Salman Rushdie; calls it ‘reprehensible’

The White House on Saturday called the attack on Salman Rushdie “reprehensible”. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris wished the renowned author a speedy recovery.

In his statement, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, “Today, the nation and the globe witnessed a heinous act against the author Salman Rushdie. This violent act is abhorrent. The Biden-Harris Administration as a whole is hoping for a quick recovery for him.”

Meanwhile, Sullivan went on to say that “We are grateful to law enforcement for its prompt and effective work, which is ongoing, and to good citizens and first responders for aiding Mr. Rushdie so quickly after the incident.”

Earlier, New York State Police identified the suspect as Hadi Matar. Matar hail from Fairview, New Jersey, and is 24 years old.

“The suspect has been identified as Hadi Matar, 24, from Fairview, New Jersey. Earlier today, approx at 10:47 am, the speaker Rushdie, 75, and Henry Reese, 73 has just arrived at the stage of the institution and shortly thereafter the suspect jumped out of the stage and attacked at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen,” Major Eugene J. Staniszewski said.

Known for his free speech, Salman Rushdie received death threats for his book ‘The Satanic Verses. The book was released in 1988 and after 30 years of a fatwa, Rushdie was attacked. Rushdie was stabbed in the neck when he was on stage at the Chautauqua Institution. Rushdie is of Indian origin and is currently a citizen of Britain.

However, the Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit community on Lake Chautauqua in southwestern New York province.