About the stabbing event, Salman Rushdie said, The attacker came like a squat missile

Author Salman Rushdie, reflecting on the harrowing stabbing incident that unfolded at a literary festival in 2022, provided vivid details of the attack's intensity and the chilling moment of realization as the assailant approached him. Rushdie likened the assailant's rapid and forceful approach to that of a compact missile, highlighting the swiftness and determination of the attack. 

The incident occurred as Rushdie was on the verge of delivering a lecture at the prestigious Chautauqua Institution in New York, a venue that would soon be marred by violence. The assailant, identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar, harbored sympathies towards Shia extremism and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, adding a layer of complexity to the motive behind the attack.

The consequences of the attack were severe, with Rushdie enduring multiple stab wounds that resulted in the loss of vision in one eye and partial numbness in his fingers. Rushdie recounted the moment of terror as he observed the assailant, clad in black attire, charging towards him with alarming speed, leaving an indelible image etched in his memory. 

Despite the severity of his injuries, Rushdie revealed that he was informed by medical professionals that he had been fortunate to survive the assault. The lack of expertise on the part of the attacker in wielding the knife effectively may have contributed to Rushdie's survival, a stroke of luck amidst the chaos and brutality of the attack.

The incident reignited discussions surrounding Rushdie's controversial novel, "The Satanic Verses," which has long been a source of contention and condemnation since its publication in 1988. The novel's exploration of sensitive religious themes has sparked outrage and led to bans in numerous countries, particularly within the Muslim world. 

The situation escalated further when Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death, accompanied by a substantial bounty offered for his assassination. Rushdie's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by individuals who challenge societal norms and provoke powerful reactions through their creative expressions.