President Biden expressed his condolences for writer Salman Rushdie, saying he was “shocked and saddened” after information that he was stabbed at an occasion in New York on Friday.
Mr. Biden mentioned the Indian-born British writer stands for “important, common truths” that needs to be free to share with out worry.
“Salman Rushdie — along with his perception into humanity, along with his unmatched sense for story, along with his refusal to be intimidated or silenced — stands for important, common beliefs. Reality. Braveness. Resilience. The flexibility to share concepts with out worry. These are the constructing blocks of any free and open society,” Mr. Biden mentioned.
The president added: “At present, we reaffirm our dedication to these deeply American values in solidarity with Rushdie and all those that stand for freedom of expression.”
Mr. Rushdie was stabbed a number of occasions on stage prior to creating a speech on the Chautauqua Establishment in New York.
The suspect, 24-year-old Hadi Matar, stabbed the writer within the neck after speeding the stage. He has since been taken into police custody.
Mr. Rushdie is presently present process surgical procedure and is on a ventilator. His agent, Andrew Wylie, informed the New York Occasions that he’s more likely to lose a watch and in addition suffers from a broken liver.
Mr. Rushdie authored the e book “The Satanic Verses,” which is predicated on the lifetime of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
He spent years in hiding over the novel, after receiving dying threats and a bounty for his homicide as a result of perceptions that the e book is “blasphemous” amongst Muslims. It’s banned in a number of international locations.
Iran provided anybody who kills Mr. Rushdie a $3 million reward.
White Home Nationwide Safety Adviser Jake Sullivan condemned the assault as “reprehensible.”
“This act of violence is appalling,” Mr. Sullivan mentioned. “All of us within the Biden-Harris administration are praying for his speedy restoration.”
