Challenges in the Life of Salman Rushdie in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Salman Rushdie's life and career.

Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born British and American novelist known for blending magic realism with historical fiction. His work explores the connections and disruptions between Eastern and Western civilizations, often focusing on the Indian subcontinent. His second novel, Midnight's Children, won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was later recognized as the "best novel of all winners" during the prize's 25th and 40th anniversary celebrations, solidifying his place as a significant literary figure.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 1988: Publication of The Satanic Verses and Subsequent Controversy

In September 1988, The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie was published by Viking Penguin Publishing, causing immediate controversy in the Islamic world due to perceived irreverent depictions of Muhammad. The book was banned in many countries with large Muslim communities.

The Satanic Verses: A Novel

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January 1989: Rushdie's Column in The Observer

On January 22, 1989, in response to protests against 'The Satanic Verses', Salman Rushdie published a column in The Observer calling Muhammad 'one of the great geniuses of world history', while maintaining that the novel is an attempt to write about migration and its stresses.

February 1989: Fatwa Issued Against Salman Rushdie

On February 14, 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini proclaimed a fatwa on Radio Tehran ordering Salman Rushdie's execution for blasphemy against Islam due to his book 'The Satanic Verses'.

The Satanic Verses: A Novel

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March 1989: UK and Iran Break Diplomatic Relations

On March 7, 1989, the United Kingdom and Iran broke diplomatic relations over the Salman Rushdie controversy following the fatwa issued against him.

August 1989: Book Bomb Explosion in London

On August 3, 1989, Mustafa Mahmoud Mazeh, using an alias, died in a London hotel when a book bomb he was priming with RDX explosives detonated prematurely. The Organization of the Mujahidin of Islam claimed he died preparing an attack on Salman Rushdie. He is considered the first martyr in the mission to kill Rushdie.

1989: Publication of 'Words For Salman Rushdie'

In 1989, The New York Times published 'Words For Salman Rushdie', featuring 28 distinguished writers from 21 countries expressing solidarity with Rushdie in the face of the fatwa.

1989: Christopher Hitchens Defends Salman Rushdie

In 1989, following the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens voiced his strong support for Rushdie, seeing it as a battle between everything he loved (literature, freedom) versus everything he hated (dictatorship, censorship).

1991: Attack on Italian and Japanese Translators

In 1991, the Italian translator of "The Satanic Verses" was stabbed but survived. Days later, Hitoshi Igarashi, the Japanese translator, was stabbed to death.

The Satanic Verses: A Novel

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August 1993: Public Appearance at Wembley Stadium

On August 11, 1993, despite the fatwa against him, Salman Rushdie made a public appearance at London's Wembley Stadium during a U2 concert. This event occurred amidst violence sparked by the publication of his book and the fatwa, with bookstores firebombed and attacks on those associated with the book.

1993: Publication of For Rushdie

In 1993, 100 writers and intellectuals from the Muslim world expressed solidarity with Salman Rushdie in the collection 'For Rushdie'.

February 1997: Blood Money Increased

In February 1997, Ayatollah Hasan Sane'i, leader of the Fifteenth of Khordad Foundation, announced that the blood money offered for the assassination of Salman Rushdie would be increased from $2 million to $2.5 million. Subsequently, another religious foundation in Iran increased its reward from $2.8 million to $3.3 million.

2005: Khomeini's Fatwa Reaffirmed

In early 2005, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader, reaffirmed Khomeini's fatwa against Salman Rushdie in a message to Muslim pilgrims in Mecca. The Revolutionary Guards also declared the death sentence still valid.

August 2008: Apology Received at High Court

On August 26, 2008, Salman Rushdie received an apology at the High Court in London from his former bodyguard Ron Evans, Evans' co-author, and their publisher. This was in response to a planned book by Evans recounting Rushdie's behavior while in hiding, which Rushdie dismissed as lies and took legal action against.

2010: Al-Qaeda Hit List Inclusion

In 2010, Anwar al-Awlaki published an Al-Qaeda hit list in Inspire magazine, including Salman Rushdie along with other figures claimed to have insulted Islam.

January 2012: Cancelled Jaipur Literature Festival Appearance

In January 2012, Salman Rushdie cancelled his appearance at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, citing a possible threat to his life. He later suggested that state police agencies lied about paid assassins being sent to Jaipur to kill him.

February 2016: Bounty Increased

In February 2016, more money was added to the bounty for the assassination of Salman Rushdie.

August 2022: Attack at Chautauqua Institution

On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was attacked while about to start a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. He was stabbed repeatedly and airlifted to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania, for surgery.

October 2022: Report of Injuries

In October 2022, it was reported that Salman Rushdie had lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand but survived the August 2022 murder attempt.

2022: Stabbing at Chautauqua Institution

In 2022, Rushdie survived a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, that led to loss of his right eye and damage to his liver and hands.

2022: Attack on Salman Rushdie

In 2022, Salman Rushdie was attacked and severely injured while about to give a public lecture in New York.

January 2024: Trial Delay Petitioned

In January 2024, the jury selection for the trial of Hadi Matar, Rushdie's attacker, was originally scheduled to begin on January 8, 2024. However, Matar's lawyer successfully petitioned to delay the trial so that they could review Rushdie's memoir and any related materials before the trial began, as the documents constitute evidence.