J.K. Rowling Receives Death Threat From Supporters Of Salman Rushdie’s Attacker

Salman Rushdie rose to notoriety after Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini pronounced his 1989 novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ blasphemous. Rushdie went into hiding for nearly a decade until the Iranian government stated in 1998 that the fatwā, would no longer be enforced, but it remained in effect. Rushdie was recently stabbed on stage and is currently on a ventilator.

JK Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, has received a public threat from an Iran-supporting extremist. She received it after denouncing yesterday’s attack on fellow British author Salman Rushdie. Rowling has previously been targeted by trans activists for her gender beliefs.

Rowling recently released a piece in which she expressed her horror at the assassination attempt on Rushdie’s life, and one commenter threatened her. Rowling wrote on Friday night, “Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok.” Meer Asif Aziz, described in his Twitter bio as a student, social activist, political activist, and research activist responded, “Don’t worry you are next.”

Rowling openly requested help from Twitter today, asking @TwitterSupport, “Any chance of some support?” However, Aziz’s post is still in place. He had earlier described Hadi Matar, the guy arrested in connection with Rushdie’s attack, as a “revolutionary Shia fighter.” Rowling confirmed that the police were now involved.

“To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved on other threats).”

This latest threat to Rowling followed yesterday’s stabbing of Salman Rushdie at a conference near Buffalo, New York. Rushdie’s representative claimed last night that the author is currently on a ventilator but seems to be in danger of losing the use of an eye, has nerve damage in his arm, and has suffered liver damage.

J.K. Rowling has to be especially cautious now since we never know where the attack will come from. To get the latest updates, keep an eye on Thirsty.

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