Books

Rushdie probe expands overseas

(Semafor) The investigation into last year’s near-fatal attack on the Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie has expanded to examine potential international involvement in the crime, the district attorney overseeing the case in rural New York told Semafor. Jason Schmidt said his office in […]

Books

Salman Rushdie makes surprise appearance at PEN America gala The novelist, who was stabbed and gravely wounded at a literary event last year, received an award from the freedom of expression organization.

(NY Times) Salman Rushdie walked onstage at PEN America’s annual gala on Thursday night, his first public appearance since he was stabbed and gravely wounded in an attack last August at a literary event in Western New York. His appearance at the […]

Academics & Education

Suella Braverman alarmed by ‘death threats’ against pupils who allegedly damaged Koran The home secretary made the remark after four students were suspended over an incident at a school in West Yorkshire. A copy of the Islamic text was reportedly brought into school before its cover was slightly torn and smears of dirt were found on some pages.

(Sky News) Reports of death threats against West Yorkshire school pupils who allegedly damaged a copy of the Koran are alarming, the home secretary has said. Suella Braverman has spoken of her “deep concern” over the case and said it raises broader […]

Academics & Education

Congress probes Oberlin College prof. with links to Iranian regime A letter sent to Oberlin wants answers on professor's 'apparent leading role in covering up the Iranian regime's atrocities'

(Fox) Two Republican lawmakers from the Committee [on] Education and Labor called for an inquiry Wednesday into Oberlin College’s religion studies professor Mohammad Jafar Mahallati due to his reported ties with the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism, the Islamic Republic of […]

Books

Pro-Iranian group chief ‘praised fatwa against Salman Rushdie’ Massoud Shadjareh is accused of telling Islamophobia conference in 2021 that Muslims thought publishing of The Satanic Verses 'was wrong'

(National-UAE) The head of a pro-Iranian non-profit group based in Britain voiced support for the fatwa calling for the death of Sir Salman Rushdie, it has been claimed. Massoud Shadjareh, founder and chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), allegedly backed […]

Books

Salman Rushdie stabbing suspect ‘had contact with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’ Intel officials told VICE World News Hadi Matar had been in contact with members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. There’s no evidence Iran was involved in organising the attack.

(Vice) The 24-year-old man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie had been in direct contact with members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on social media, European and Middle Eastern intelligence officials told VICE World News. Hadi Matar has been charged with […]

Books

Biden condemns attack on Rushdie, pledges ‘solidarity’ with author’s ideals 'Salman Rushdie — with his insight into humanity, with his unmatched sense for story, with his refusal to be intimidated or silenced — stands for essential, universal ideals,' Biden said in the statement.

(Politico) President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned the frenzied attack on Salman Rushdie on a New York lecture stage that has left the author on a ventilator. “Jill and I were shocked and saddened to learn of the vicious attack on Salman […]