Meet Hadi Matar, the attacker of Salman Rushdie.
75-year-old author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in the neck and abdomen at a literary event in New York, US. He is on a ventilator and could lose an eye as he suffered severed nerves in his arm and damage to his liver. His attacker was identified as Hadi Matar from New Jersey.
Currently, the motive of Hadi to attack Rushdie is unclear. Witnesses reported that the event happened just after the author took his place on stage and was getting ready to be introduced.
Social media posts and videos saw individuals rushing the stage and knocking the suspect to the ground before a trooper on duty at the event took him into custody. Prior to the arrival of emergency first responders, a doctor in the audience provided medical assistance. After then, Mr. Rushdie was flown to the hospital for an urgent operation.
Meet Hadi Matar, Salman Rushdie Attacker
The celebrated author Salman Rushdie was preparing to speak at the Chautauqua Institution outside of New York City when the attack took place. The audience, which contained about 2,500 individuals, was afterward cleared out. The Chautauqua Institution released a statement after the attack that read, “What many of us witnessed today was a violent expression of hate that shook us to our core.”
The Bombay-born 75-year-old has received death threats from Islamists for writing the book “The Satanic Verses” for many years. Shortly after its release, the book was outlawed in a number of nations, including India, and the then-Supreme Leader of Iran issued a fatwa condemning Rushdie.
The weapon used was not identified by the police. Public defense Nathaniel Barone, who represents the suspect, declined to comment, saying he was still gathering facts. Authorities closed off access to Matar’s house.
Rushdie had just entered the stage at the Chautauqua Institution for the occasion, according to Major Eugene Staniszewski of the New York State Police, at 10.47 am local time (8.17 pm IST). “Shortly thereafter, the suspect jumped onto the stage and attacked Rushdie, stabbing him at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen,” he added.
Photos showed a man being frog-marched to a police car while sporting a buzzcut, an army fatigue shirt, and a jacket.
A preliminary review of Matar’s social media showed him to be sympathetic to “Shia extremism” and the causes of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). Despite the lack of any connections between Matar and the IRGC, NBC News reports that law enforcement officials discovered pictures of the murdered commander Qassem Solemani and an Iraqi fanatic who supports the Iranian government on Matar’s cell phone messaging app.
Hadi Matar Age
As widely reported, Hadi Matar is 24 years old as of Aug 2022.
Hadi Matar Job
As of this writing, Hadi Matar’s job remains unclear. One of his high school classmates Gabriel Sanchez from Elizabeth Learning Center in California spoke to The Daily Beast. Gabriel shared he was shocked to know that Hadi was involved in such a gruesome crime. He added he actively participated in debates and had several friends.
“He took it seriously and did the washing of the feet in our high school restroom,” Sanchez said about Matar’s faith. “The only time I ever saw him get ‘heated’ when it came to anything was with our AP Bio teacher at the end of the year where he wrote in his evaluation of the class that he hated how he talked about religion.”
Gabriel also shared that Hadi wasn’t a “social butterfly” but spent his time in school playing basketball and reading frequently. He never addressed Iran or Rushdie in his conversations. “He was a devout Muslim and one of the few things that I remember talking to him about was kindness,” Sanchez said. “That’s how I remember him and why I wish this isn’t him.”
Daily Beast further reported that Hadi took up boxing lessons in April 2022 at the State of Fitness Boxing Club. A representative told the outlet that he signed up for “boxing group classes” and he “just stopped his membership on 9 August.”
Is Hadi Matar On IG, Facebook?
No Hadi Matar is not on Instagram. A Facebook page did share a snapshot of Hadi’s Facebook.
Hadi Matar Family
Hadi Matar reportedly lived in a two-story tan brick house. Antonio Lopa, a retired hospital worker, who lived directly across the street spoke to Daily Beast. He said that he often saw Hadi coming and going, but didn’t know him. Hadi lived with 6 or 7 family members in the household. They likely rented the place as a single-family unit that they moved into three or four years ago.
Moreover, Menarva H Matar and Silvana M Fardos are some of his family members.
Is Hadi Matar Married?
At the time of this writing, any personal information about Hadi Matar is out of public knowledge. This also includes his relationship status and his married life.
Hadi Matar Height
Hadi Matar most probably stands tall at a height of above 5 feet 8 inches.
Related FAQs
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What Is Hadi Matar Religion?
A friend of Hadi Matar described him as a “devout Muslim”. Voter records show his affiliation with the democratic party. Bergen County, New Jersey is reportedly the place of his registration.
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Where Is Hadi Matar Nationality?
NBC New York reported that Hadi Matar was born in California, so he is an American by nationality. He had recently moved to New Jersey, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. According to sources of NBC New York, Hadi was also carrying a false New Jersey driver’s license.
Hadi was based in Fair View, New Jersey when the incident happened. The place lies immediately to the west of Manhattan across the Hudson River.
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When Is Hadi Matar Birthday?
Hadi Matar’s birthday is yet to reveal.
