“No Heavenly Choir, No Tunnel Of Light” - Salman Rushdie On His Near-Death Experience 

Your comment show ignorance… When someone slander Muslim faith it is always freedom of speech. But when someone criticizes Christianity he/she is outcasted as an anti-Christ. Worse even is when someone criticizes the Zionist Jews genocidal crimes. That is not a freedom of speech, it is a crime under the American law and the person is charged for the crime of antisemitism and will be punished. If Islamophobia is considered a freedom of speech, why anti-Christ and anti Jew propaganda are not freedom of speech. Do you see the hypocrisy of the Western societies when it comes to freedom of speech as a right. Very sad and disgraceful….

Wrong! Most Muslims think and associate him with the Devil himself!

He did that to himself. Offending people, mocking their belief got him out of India. This is an easy way to buy your way into Britain on an asylum

​@@batosatooffending who again? Only one section of the populace got offended, no need to guess which one. Guess who made the fatwas against him? Also, he was not really from India anyway, he was always based in the UK, as a student. It is strange you are defending a section of the population who are eternally triggered when their beliefs are challenged. Beliefs are built to be challenged.

@@nananou1687 are you out of your mind? He was born and raised in India. Regardless of where he got his education from he is still an Indian who received a British passport under asylum because India failed to provide him protection. There is a thin red line between intellectual criticism and criticizing a population based on unverified information. Try criticizing Jews on Palestine, you will be branded as antisemitic.

I agree with the second part but he did lose an eye

@@j.x.x.r3645 I’m not so with it, I didn’t realize.

​@@j.x.x.r3645 He may have lost an eye, but he gained sight most of us will never have.

I have 6 years of artist block😅

Meanwhile GRRM… 👀

Loved when he appeared in Curb, such a good sport.

And a fatwa against him and years of hiding for his life

holding respect for ideas that are scamming you makes you a useful idiot. respect people not their bad ideas. people have rights not people. Because you are clueless about power of liberalism so come talk to us at atheist republic so you can understand why USA is best we have.

True

@ashridhar Nope once they take that away they've beaten you. I admire what Salmon Rushdie went through and how as he says it "fortunately love wins" and I can assure anyone that this is absolutely true!

holding respect for ideas that are scamming you makes you a useful idiot. respect people not their bad ideas. people have rights not people. Because you are clueless about power of liberalism so come talk to us at atheist republic so you can understand why USA is best we have.

I agree. I’ve met him a couple times and he is very thoughtful and has a unique perspective from his life. I disagree however with some of his views on “absolute free speech” in the digital era. It’s not “censorship” to moderate hate, disinfo and extremism - failing to do so has bad consequences. Ironically, his own attacker was radicalized by the internet. I also study media and culture and have seen a lot of research showing how digital platforms ELEVATE riightwing ideas, rather than “censor” them.

Yes

I once danced with him at a Martin Amis event...well, danced at him!

Right?!

His message to his attacker is genius. Its on here, you can search for it 👌

​@SMG63854it's not jews but Romans crucified Christ..FYI Even he himself forgave it still you are carrying it to over centuries

You're kidding me. He has written books after the attack multiple times to further incite his critics and make monetary gain

@@batosato You mean he's doing this out of spite??

@@pikiwiki yep

I was thinking the same thing. Also, the physical design of the book is stunning. I say that not to diminish its contents. Rather, in a time when book design emphasizes digital readability-nothing wrong with that!-a beautifully designed physical book is an increasingly rare joy.

You would rather follow someone that sells you fantasy instead of following God.

@@keksi6844 Yes.

@@keksi6844Absolutely.

@@keksi6844 And following "god" is not even as enjoyable and beautiful as fantasy, it's sickly dillusion. But besides that, Rushdie doesn't sell fantasy, he shares facts. The Abrahamic religions was made up by misogynistic men who invented a mangod in their own image to gain more power for men, all the while demonizing women and nature. The Abrahamic religions are patriarchal control systems based on oppression and hate, in particular misogyny. They have nothing to do with spirituality. They stole holidays from other spiritual traditions, warped them and turned them into their own versions, all the while banning all real spirituality in connection to nature. They murdered and plundered their way around the world and forced people with violence to convert to their cult, everyone who refused were killed. Literally billions of people, the vast majority being women and children, have been tortured, raped and murdered in the names of the Abrahamic religions for the past 2000+ years, and it's still going on today. And about the Abrahamic religions only being 2000-2500 years old, homo sapiens have existed for about 300 000 years. In Europe we fought tooth and nail for hundreds of years to take back our sovereignty from Christianity, and to separate the state from the religion to create a sane and healthy society after their sick murderous rampage that tortured millions of women to death. The Abrahamic religions are plagues originating in the Middle East that have caused more damage, suffering and death to humanity than anything else, more than all the wars combined. They have outkilled everything. They are misogynistic murder cults that need to be banned. They are the very definition of evil and they are the biggest stain of shame in human history. And anyone who supports any of these religions are either embarrassingly ignorant or just as evil themselves.

I think artists and creative people need to analyze and express what they've gone through in order to help them with the healing process. For authors, turning it into a story to tell helps them see it and process the trauma from a distance.

Lucky you!!! I've been just wanting to get in touch with him for many many years. I have read all his books.

@@kiranrathod7469 it was a real privilege to meet him.

Te conformas con poco.

​@@marioceva7163 You settle for nothing

Except no one was laughing

​@fanmael1 Their loss I fear.

@@fanmael1 Because it was so dark they felt uncomfortable.

Jika ingin melihat keindahan Islam,lihatlah moslem Indonesia ❤

The teaching of Muhammad is the problem for humanity if you followed his footstep

If Salman Rushdie had been interviewed by Jon Stewart, Stewart would have criticized Rushdie for surviving.

@@DemPilafian Glad I’m not the only one disappointed with the “new” Jon Stewart.

@@artlesscalamity348 The "original" Jon Stewart was one of the greatest things to ever happen to TV. The "new" Jon Stewart is like seeing your favorite athlete retire and then get arrested for a reprehensible crime.

@@DemPilafian Um, no he wouldn't have. What are you even going on about?

​@@DemPilafian Nonsense

He's always going to win because he's on the right side.... and they hate that.

Same!

Agreed. Who cares what an actor has to say?

He is not a celebrity like singers or actors. He is a writer who inspires people in positive ways… so, don’t degrade him by calling him a celebrity.

@@aravinddnivara803 Whatever!

Marg bagh amerika

​@@user-uh4pt6kw9qDerka...

Liar, if you were in Iran you wouldn’t be writing this…let alone watching this.

@@user-zi4es4zi6v haha coming to you straight from UAE…with a bunch of Iranian friends ✌️ They know what’s up, and that you can’t even watch that over there. Try again.

@@jgp1294 it's not my responsibility to prove you where i live and where i come from and who i want to support . It's you own problem and more you reply mre i get your fake account

It’s a wonderful sentiment, but I believe Mr. Rushdie would insist that the universe insisted nothing, and it was blind luck and the heroic efforts of emergency responders and medical professional who insisted we still need him here with us.

@@thenostalgiabusiness Oh I have no doubt Mr. Rushdie's take would stand not only in polarized opposition to my own in contexts philosophical, metaphysical, spiritual, etc., but also in the quality of his own written expression, which is more than deserving of an entire book 😁❤️

Yup. Also, not everyone remembers their NDEs when they happen. Some remember a vivid afterlife scene others remember nothing but waking up when they regained consciousness. Either way, he's a cool guy. Finally, I don't mind if some are atheist. Deeds should trump creeds.

Sounds like nothing happened because he could've died, would've died very shortly without the immediate care he received, but he didn't "die" as in his soul left his body. He didn't describe anything that sounded at all like actually dying, then being revived (coming back).

@@dod2304 nothing happened because nothing happens. we are just molecules.

Amen ❤

100% agree! All I could find was that Caroline Cunningham designed the cover, but I couldn't find a website for her or any other info.

Agreed! Genius

Always. Too bad speaking his mind is so dangerous.

I'm surprised he's on colbert.

He does regard his well being as most people do. It's just that the venue had poor security.

​@@dan_hitchman007 Nonsense 🙄

@@SolarEclipse1996 You're just plain ignorant of what happened.

Well said!

If you can say that God is energy, then that is what saved Salman: his beautiful, strong, inner energy, a spiritual gift. As a novelist (with a tenth of his talent, if that) I can tell you that “It’s harder to write a novel than to design and build a high-rise building.” That’s a quote from a great architect.

but maybe He is protecting you. ?

48 hours before the attack, he had a dream of being stabbed in a gladiatorial fight that felt so real, he felt afraid to go to that talk. He was rolling on the ground trying to get away. Maybe it was a past life, maybe it was just a dream but prophetic dreams are one of the 40 plus signs of a prophet in the Quran ironically enough.

He is from kashmir not india😅

@@kamranhashmi1575 he hates Pakistan like hell.

His attacker was radicalized by things he read on the internet. Ironically, it’s an example of why content moderation is necessary. It’s not “censorship” to put extremism in check.

@@artlesscalamity348 Absurd. Content is no excuse for murder .The guy who attacked Rushdie was an evil piece of crap. He wasn't radicalized. He wanted to murder someone for no reason and was looking for a flimsy excuse. You have to be a one lousy piece of crap to attack an unarmed man with a knife.

Unbelievable? 😂 common which planet do you live in ? There are plenty of mass shootings, rape, knife stabbing, every single day... specially in the US... So many cops got killed on Jan 6 in capital hill... nothing is unbelievable for me... specially these days... specially a knife attack.

ironically the talk was about security for controversial authors.

He's pathetic, and cheap. Got what he was asking for, if you read one of his book he calls all "Londoners" as "Bastards".

Stabbing for some reason is that thing I don't think I could handle. Man, this dude was stabbed sliced and diced, and he's so chill just doing his thing 🙂

He is a bigot that does nothing but spreads hatred towards a one group of people.

Rushdie’s personal story is a reminder of how fanaticism and the internet are making our world so much more dangerous. His attacker said he never even read a book by Rushdie - he just saw things on the internet and decided he should kill this person. Ironically, it’s an example of why “free speech absolutism” does not work in the digital era. Moderation and accountability are necessary for public and private well-being.

So was I. I think I realized the feeling making me almost cry was happiness and gratitude that he is still alive to tell the tale. If he had died it would have been a massive injustice. Even what he went through is an injustice, but Im happy because I know it almost was so much worse.

Agree

Hey, Craig Ferguson used to do it, and he had a gay skeleton robot as a co-host. A little culture's not going to hurt your audience any.

Yes to more writers! Often the most interesting interviews.

As so few are these days❤❤❤

I tried to read Joyce but didn't like it. The language was too complex. Would I like Rushdie?

Don't know who said this but..."To answer injuries born from fear and anger with hate will only serve to expand the pain this world endures." Fires of fear, anger & hate cannot be doused with more fuel in the form of retaliation and resentment and harbored grievances, they can only be smothered with the embrace of love and compassion and understanding and patience.

It's a beautiful sentiment. No... more than that; it is a capitol "T" Truth. However Mr Jeffries was quite remiss if he didn't credit the man who he is paraphrasing/ quoting; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that" From a sermon he preached at Dexter Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama on November 17, 1957.

@@dod2304 now that you show that, I remember reading excerpts from that sermon. Thank you.

​​@@dod2304 Not really. The idea is much older than Luther or Jeffries

And so said Jesus.

There are some theories that we are living in a universe that is repeating itself over and over again, physics is strange

Ahhh Hitchens he will be missed

The 'spirit' of Hitchens? I didn't think you were supposed to believe in such things?

Similar to the spirit of the law, meaning keeping with the vibe essentially​@@ahartify

Ah I miss Hitch man

@@mrush5969 So much.......

Reminds me of the satirist who said something like "You've got to laugh, or you'll throw bricks."

This comment section is normally full of jesus freaks, this is a nice change of pace..

If God is real, he is either not all good or not all powerful.

@@SweetLux31 You may be overlooking the concept that we all have free will. What happens to us and around us on this little planet school is all caused by ourselves. Either by will or neglect. And, yes I do believe in a "God", Creator, Higher Power, whatever one wants to name it.

@@SweetLux31well you did not come from hell when you where born so innocent, so you came from somewhere that gives you that. The rest is is growing up in the hell we created that god let you do because he loves you, he knows that you can’t learn if he holds your hand . He’s a strong being to stand by and watch the horrors, but it is by law and it is what you agreed before you incarnated. Now you try doing good things and watch how many humans try getting in your way. It’s not god, it’s us.

The fact that childhood cancer exists is proof alone that god is neither not all good or not all powerful. Have you ever seen a 5 yo child die of brain cancer? I have. That suffering he went through was hell. God wasn’t there to save him from the devil. The old “god works in mysterious ways” doesn’t justify that. Sorry but you have no argument here.

They never will. All they care about is the Quran and nothing more.

Some dreams yes... some are just movies

Not always, but he was open to it.

The book can be a figment of jus imagination but that doesn't leave the fact that it's full of made-up lies by him that have been criticised and refuted. What can possibly be good about insulting the figures held in high respect by billions of Muslims?

@@zenzender3790 None of that justifies bombings and killings of innocent people or murdering him. Also... Satanic Verses is a work of fiction. Its a story. The correct response to it is to critique the facts and debate him if he is willing to do so (and has many times publicly). It is not to commit murder.

@geebster. It doesn't ofcourse. Prophet Muhammad(SAW) is not a fiction though. He would have been against the treatment or response he got, that's because he was such a person which is why he is loved so much by Muslims. However the attacker probably attacked him for writing something against Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran.

@geebster. There is nothing to debate when it comes to fiction. The Qur'an itself refutes him. He just took an isolated verse from Qur'an and in order to create a controvery named the novel based on that while in reality it only makes up a small part of novel. What he did was playing with western ignorance of Qur'an and Islam because at that time the internet was not so widely available, people were less globalised and ignorant.

@geebster. What debate should there be when he refers to all "Londoners" as "Bastards" in his book? I think the debate is very settled that he's just a cheap individual that tries his hardest to ride controversy and have earned respose of his stupidity and disgusting behaviour.

what gift?? Insulting others ??