Salman Rushdie attack suspect reveals he 'only read two pages' of Satanic Verses

18 August 2022, 13:16 | Updated: 18 August 2022, 18:38

Salman Rushdie suspect had ‘read two pages’ of the Satanic verses, after mother says ‘I’m done with him’.
Salman Rushdie suspect had ‘read two pages’ of the Satanic verses, after mother says ‘I’m done with him’. Picture: Twitter/Alamy/PA

By Cameron Kerr

The man accused of repeatedly stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie has said he had only read ‘a couple of pages’ of the author's novel The Satanic Verses.

Hadi Matar, 24, who has pleaded not guilty over the attack, gave an interview from behind bars to the New York Post but refused to reveal whether the fatwa on Sir Salman, issued by Iran’s leader in 1989, inspired his actions.

"I respect the Ayatollah. I think he's a great person. That's as far as I will say about that," he said.

Mata told the newspaper that he was “surprised” to hear that Sir Salman had survived the attack.

He again pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges on Thursday.

Sir Salman’s infamous controversial novel The Satanic Verses, was published in 1988 and caused outrage among some Muslims, who felt the content was blasphemous.

Sir Salman effectively went into hiding for several years following the book’s publication, but had told an interviewer two weeks before he was attacked that his life had become “very normal again”.

Sir Salman was attacked just before he was due to give a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in the state of New York.
Sir Salman was attacked just before he was due to give a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in the state of New York. Picture: Alamy

The 75-year-old author was set to give a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution, when the suspect stormed the stage and stabbed approximately 12 times, including in the face and neck.

Mata told the New York Post: "When I heard he survived, I was surprised, I guess.

"I don't like the person. I don't think he's a very good person. I don't like him. I don't like him very much.

"He's someone who attacked Islam, he attacked their beliefs, the belief systems."

According to NBC News, a preliminary review of Mr Matar’s social media found he had sympathies for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard and Shia extremism.

Read more: James O’Brien moved by Ian McEwan words after brutal attack on Salman Rushdie

Read more: Water firms slammed for ‘only being able to cope with 16C drizzly days’ as sewage alerts issued for beaches

Mata’s mother, Silvana Fardos said earlier this week that she had disowned her son saying “I’m done with him, I have nothing to say to him.”

Sir Salman’s injuries have been described as ‘life changing’ and include a damaged liver, severed nerves in an arm. The author has also sustained injuries to an eye.

Sir Rushdie’s family said earlier this week that despite his injuries, the author still had his “usual feisty and defiant sense of humour”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Keith Edun, 47, used the messaging app “Kik” to spread vile images of children

Predator who encouraged man to rape a baby after sharing vile images of children online is jailed for 21 years

Breaking
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

Zelenskyy calls for creation of ‘European army’ as he warns Russia 'will pull Europe apart' if not defeated

The woman who said she was raped by rappers and business moguls Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, when she was 13, has dropped her civil lawsuit against both men.

Woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her when she was 13 drops lawsuit

Liam Payne died last Wednesday.

One Direction star Liam Payne was 'sectioned' after near-fatal overdose months before death, close friend claims

Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to Red Cross

Hamas parades three Israeli hostages on stage before being freed - as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released

uk british national lottery euromillions ticket with picks

Winning numbers revealed as single UK EuroMillions ticket holder scoops massive £65million Valentine’s Day jackpot

The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt

Manhunt launched after woman seriously injured at village pub in Valentine's Day 'shooting'

Rob and Lindsey Burrow a few weeks before he died

Rob Burrow's wife reveals heartbreaking moment she knew rugby league star 'couldn't go on' with MND struggle

Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia