Survivor's Account: Salman Rushdie Reflects on Near-Fatal Attack

Sir Salman Rushdie took the stand in New York to provide a chilling testimony about the attack that left him critically injured and blind in one eye. During the trial of his alleged attacker, Rushdie described the terrifying moments leading up to and following the assault, immersing the court in the panic and pain he endured.

Sir Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed British-Indian author, testified in a New York court that he felt he was dying after being stabbed multiple times on stage in an attack that left him blind in one eye. The 77-year-old was giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution on August 12, 2022, when he was assaulted by 27-year-old Hadi Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted murder.

During his testimony, Rushdie described the moment he noticed Matar rushing towards him while he was ready to speak. He recalled being struck by a flurry of blows, initially thinking he had been punched until he saw blood streaming down his clothes. "At that point he was hitting me repeatedly, stabbing and slashing," Rushdie told the court. He was struck 15 times, resulting in injuries to his eye, chest, torso, and thigh, along with a severe stab wound to his eye that has left him with no vision.

While Rushdie recounted the painful details of the attack, his wife, Lady Rushdie, was visibly emotional from the audience, as Matar sat quietly, avoiding eye contact. Rushdie admitted his long-standing fears for his safety were compounded after experiencing this attack, following years of living in hiding due to death threats stemming from his novel, The Satanic Verses, which ignited outrage among some Muslims, leading to a fatwa calling for his assassination.

Prior to the attack, Rushdie had expressed contentment with a "relatively normal" life, but the assault shattered that sense of security. "It occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying – that was my predominant thought," he said, vividly describing the aftermath of the assault and the chaotic response from bystanders that ultimately saved his life.

Rushdie was airlifted to a trauma center, where he spent 17 days receiving treatment for his injuries. In response to questions during cross-examination, Rushdie maintained confidence in his recollection of the events, emphasizing that he was certain of having been attacked 15 times and had no prior contact with Matar.

The trial is expected to continue with more witnesses, including medical professionals and law enforcement officers involved in the case, as the court seeks clarity on the attack and Matar's motivations.