Sir Salman Rushdie Testifies About Life-Altering Attack During Court Proceedings

In a New York court, Sir Salman Rushdie shared his traumatic experience of being stabbed by Hadi Matar, recounting the moments that made him feel like he was dying, while also detailing the long-lasting impacts of the attack on his life and safety.

Sir Salman Rushdie has taken the stand in a New York courtroom, sharing the details of a horrific attack that left him fearing for his life and permanently blind in one eye. The trial, which centers around the alleged attacker Hadi Matar, 27, who has pleaded not guilty to assault and attempted murder, brings renewed focus on the artist's perilous journey following threats he faced after the publication of his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses in 1988.

During the gripping testimony, Sir Salman described to the jury the moments leading up to the brutal stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution on August 12, 2022. He recalled sitting on stage, poised to speak about the supportive environment for exiled authors in the US, when he noticed Matar rushing toward him. Wearing dark attire and a face mask, Matar’s "ferocious" eyes struck him, leading to an immediate and brutal assault.

Sir Salman recalled initially believing he had been punched until he observed blood soaking through his clothes. He described feeling a total of 15 strikes, with injuries affecting his neck, chest, and facial regions. Notably, the stab wound to his eye was the most agonizing, resulting in irreversible damage that left him without vision. Sharing his poignant experience, he revealed to the jury, "That is what is left of it," referring to his eye injury as he revealed its extent.

Witnessing the testimony, Lady Rushdie wept silently as the author recounted living in constant fear for his safety — a reality heightened by the deadly fatwa issued against him by Iran’s religious leader following the publication of his novel. While the international acclaim for The Satanic Verses was robust, it earned the ire of many in the Muslim community, leading to years spent in hiding.

Although Sir Salman had recently expressed a sense of normalcy in his life, the attack shattered any illusion of safety. He recounted to the court the harrowing moment he believed he was dying, telling jurors, "It occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying - that was my predominant thought."

The loss of safety and security, coupled with his physical injuries, poses a lasting challenge for Rushdie. He stated that the urgency of the situation compelled bystanders to intervene, ultimately saving his life. Rushdie was airlifted to a trauma center, where he endured 17 days of recovery.

Defense attorney Lynn Schaffer probed into the reliability of Rushdie's memory due to the trauma experienced. Sir Salman acknowledged that while trauma can distort memories, he was steadfast in his account of receiving 15 wounds, corroborated by visible injuries.

Further testimonies are anticipated, including those from medical personnel involved in Rushdie’s care and law enforcement who were present at the scene, as the trial continues to unfold, reflecting broader issues of safety, artistic expression, and the costs of speaking truth to power.