British-Indian author Salman Rushdie is currently on ventilation after being stabbed in New York where he was attending an event at the Chautauqua Institution. While leaders around the world and advocates of free speech have condemned the attack, a section of the Iranian media has hailed the attacker. Notably, it was former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini who was the first one to issue a fatwa (edict) against Rushdie post the publication of his 1988 book, The Satanic Verses.

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AFP reports that Kayhan, an ultra-conservative newspaper, wrote in an editorial, “Bravo to this courageous and duty-conscious man who attacked the apostate and depraved Salman Rushdie in New York”. Notably, the chief of this newspaper was appointed by the current Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The newspaper further added, “Let us kiss the hands of the one who tore the neck of the enemy of God with a knife”.

Numerous Iranian publications have taken a similar line while reporting on the issue. There are only a few exceptions, including the reformist paper, Etemad. 

Notably, the Iranian government has not yet made any official statement regarding the incident.

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A number of people associated with The Satanic Verses were targeted in the past, including its Japanese translator, who was found brutally stabbed to death. The Italian translator of the book was also stabbed numerous times. Protests erupted over the publication of this book in Pakistan and Srinagar, and the ensuing violence led to the death of a number of individuals.

A hotel in Turkey was set on fire in order to kill the book’s Turkish translator. But a total of 37 individuals died in this incident.

The book has been banned in a number of countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. When the fatwa was issued against Rushdie, it was the British government that offered him shelter and security.