The stabbing of author Sir Salman Rushdie has shocked and horrified other writers and world leaders, with many praising him as a champion of free speech.
The 75-year-old man remains on a ventilator after being airlifted to hospital and undergoing hours of surgery following the attack in upstate New York.
And while messages of support for the Indian-born British author have poured in from many countries, in Iran, where the book The Satanic Verses has prompted death threats, some praised the attack.
Fellow novelist Ian McEwan said: “This appalling attack on my dear friend Salman represents an assault on freedom of thought and expression.
“These are the freedoms that underpin all our rights and freedoms. Salman has been an inspiring advocate for persecuted writers and journalists around the world.”
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Why is Salman Rushdie so controversial?
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Ian McEwan and Sir Salman Rushdie
JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, described the news as “horrific”.
“I feel so bad now. May he be well,” he added on Twitter.
Norwegian William Nygaard, who was seriously shot and wounded in 1993 after publishing Sir Salman’s work, said: “He is an outstanding author who has meant a lot to literature and had found a good life in America.” .
Multi-million selling horror writer Stephen King tweeted: “I hope Salman Rushdie is ok”, before adding “What kind of *** hat stabs a writer, anyway? F***** !”
Boris Johnson said: “Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right that we should never stop defending.
“We all hope he’s okay.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie.
“Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family.”
Deputy Labor leader Angela Rayner said on Twitter: “The horrific attack on Salman Rushdie in New York is appalling beyond words. I wish him the best at this terrible time. This violence is an attack on the freedom of ‘expression and can never be the answer. His assailant. must be quickly brought to justice.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey added: “The attack on Salman Rushdie was an absolute outrage. I sincerely hope he is released and my thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends.”
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: “For 33 years, Salman Rushdie has embodied freedom and the fight against obscurantism…His battle is ours, universal.”
Children’s author Michael Rosen said on Twitter: “Rushdie. Horrible. Wishing her recovery and a peaceful life. Total condemnation of the act and the spirit and politics behind it.”
Comedian and author David Baddiel tweeted: “It’s appalling what happened to Salman Rushdie. It’s also appalling that there are people who think he brought this on himself or somehow deserved it.”
And Nigella Lawson said: “Such shocking news about Salman Rushdie being stabbed. This is horrible. I am appalled. Please let him be okay.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: “Today, the country and the world witnessed a reprehensible attack on the writer Salman Rushdie. This act of violence is appalling.
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Salman Rushdie ‘spent decades speaking truth to power’
“All of us in the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy recovery. We thank the good citizens and first responders for helping Mr. Rushdie so quickly after the attack and law enforcement for their quick work and effective, which is ongoing.”
And Suzanne Nossel of the free speech group Pen America said: “While we do not know the origins or motives of this attack, all those around the world who have received violent words or called for the same are guilty to legitimize this attack on a writer while he was engaged in his essential work of connecting with readers.”
In Iran, there has been no official comment from the regime, but several hardline Iranian newspapers praised the attack.
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Thousands protested in Tehran in 1989 over the publication of The Satanic Verses. Image: AP
“A thousand bravos … to the brave and obedient person who attacked the apostate and evil Salman Rushdie in New York,” said the Kayhan newspaper.
“One must kiss the hand of the man who tore the neck of God’s enemy.”
Another publication, the Khorasan newspaper, carried the headline: “Satan on the Road to Hell.”