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Attacker of Sir Salman Rushdie says he hasn't read the author's book but accuses him of attacking Islam

on Aug 18, 2022

According to the man accused of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie, the author's survival is "surprising."

After being attacked on stage at an event in New York State last Friday, the British-American novelist is still treated in the hospital for serious injuries.

From behind bars, Hadi Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges, admitted to the New York Post that he had only "read a couple of pages" of Sir Salman's 1988 book The Satanic Verses but claimed to have seen YouTube videos of the author.

I don't like the individual," he continued, referring to Sir Salman. He doesn't seem like a very good person to me. I'm not a fan of him. He doesn't really appeal to me.

He is a person who has attacked Islam, its beliefs, and its belief systems.

"I guess I was startled when I learned he lived," he continued.

Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran pounced on The Satanic Verses' representations of the prophet Mohamed when he called on Muslims to assassinate Sir Salman, who had spent years hiding out for his own safety.

I respect the Ayatollah, Matar said to the newspaper. He is a wonderful man, in my opinion. That's all I have to say about it.

Although Iranian officials have refused to denounce the attack on Sir Salman and have "categorically" denied any connections to the alleged perpetrator, US investigators are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Matar, a Lebanese-American who was born and raised in New Jersey, frequently posted on social media in support of the Iranian government.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Matar's mother Silvana Fardos had "never heard of" Sir Salman and that her son had grown more religious during a trip to Lebanon in 2018 to see his father, from whom she is divorced.

I was expecting him to return fired up, but instead, he shut himself in the basement, she had remarked. He had undergone a significant transformation; for months, he kept silent around his sisters.

They had a disagreement over religion, according to Ms. Fardos, who added: "He was upset that I did not introduce him to Islam at an early age. I'm not a believer. I am a Muslim by birth, and that is essentially it. Neither did I force my son to follow any one religion or practice. I have no friends or family in Iran; everyone I know is here.

I'm not going to bother talking to him again, she continued. He is accountable for his deeds.

Regarding one accusation of attempted second-degree murder, Matar has entered a not guilty plea.

Sir Salman's family acknowledged in a statement on Sunday that he was receiving "intensive continuous medical treatment" at the hospital and that his injuries were "life-changing." But they added that he still maintained his "usual feisty and defiant sense of humor."

According to a statement claimed by Zafar Rushdie, Sir Salman's son, "We are very grateful to all the audience members who boldly jumped to his defense and offered first aid, together with the police and physicians who have cared for him and the outpouring of love and support from around the world."

"The family has gathered at his bedside to support and assist him during this difficult time. We ask for continuous patience and privacy."