70% Believe the Attack on Rushdie Was Premeditated

Salman Rushdie’s life changed forever in 1989 when the Iranian government issued a fatwa calling for his death. After over three decades, the award-winning author, who has spent his life looking over his shoulder, hiding, and eventually appearing in public, nearly got killed. A man later investigated to be Hadi Matar stabbed the author during a literary event in New York.

Salman Rushdie’s attack in New York is yet another example of our society’s dangerously growing hatred of dissent. To answer some speculations on this incident, Real Research launched a survey on writer Salman Rushdie attacked in New York. Here are the survey results.

Highlights:

• 53.49% are well aware that Rushdie has been long facing death threats
• 70.04% think the attack on Rushdie in New York was premeditated
• 59.47% believe the fatwa on Rushdie should be lifted

Salman Rushdie and His Death Threats

The survey on writer Salman Rushdie Attacked in New York begins by asking respondents about their knowledge of Rushdie. In response, 53.25% are well aware of him. In addition, some (24.39%) have heard little about him, while others (22.35%) do not know him.

Salman Rushdie, a world-renowned author, has been facing death threats for years for what he once wrote. Likewise, the survey asked respondents if they knew Rushdie had been long facing death threats. To this, 53.49% are well aware, and some (24.01%) know few details about it. The rest (22.5%) are unaware that he has been facing death threats for decades.

As for some, Salman Rushdie’s attack in New York was a direct attack against freedom of expression. In detail, 48.49% believe it is the writers’ freedom to write whatever they want and that it should not cause death threats. Furthermore, 20.22% think it is just fiction, hence should not be taken seriously. In contrast, 14.89% state that others’ feelings and views are more important than a writer’s freedom of expression.

Salman Rushdi’s Attack in New York: Premeditated?

On August 12, Rushdie was stabbed multiple times at a literary event in New York. Accordingly, the survey asks respondents what they feel about Salman Rushdie’s attack in New York. In reply, 34.51% choose ‘Very fair.’ The rest choose ‘Neutral’ (24.55%), ‘Fair’ (14.74%), ‘Unfair’ (14.37%), and ‘Very unfair’ (11.84%).

The suspect in the attack was carrying false identifications when he attended the literary event. Concerning this, the survey asks if respondents think it was premeditated. In response, the majority (70.04%) answered ‘Yes,’ leaving 29.96% who said ‘No.’

Also Read: Survey on Journalist Killings in Mexico

33 Years After Iran Issued Fatwa on Rushdie

It has been 33 years since the Iranian government issued a fatwa on Rushdie, calling for his death. The fatwa remains in effect to this day. Concerning this, the survey asks if respondents believe it is time to lift the fatwa on Rushdie.

In response, 59.47% said, ‘Yes, the Iranian government should consider Salman Rushdie’s attack in New York.’ However, others (18.95%) said, ‘No, but at least show some sympathy,’ and the rest merely said ‘No.’

On another note, Salman Rushdie’s attack in New York raised concerns about safety in public areas. On this matter, the survey asks how important respondents think security is in public places. Results revealed that the majority (42.39%) regard security as very important. The rest value security as important (16.09%), not important (9.49%), and not at all important (9.95%).