Bill Maher Honors “Dear Friend” Salman Rushdie After Author Attack – The Hollywood Reporter

Bill Maher spent time on the latest episode of HBO’s Real time in honor of his close friend, Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed Friday just before his presentation in Western New York.

Maher sat down with guest Piers Morgan and writer Rikki Schlott, and at the start of the segment he explained that his mind was under attack. Rushdie, whose 1988 novel The verses of Satan considered blasphemous by many Muslims, is on a ventilator and likely lost an eye as a result of the attack, according to a statement late Friday from his agent, Andrew Wylie.

“First, I have to say something – it’s somewhat personal but also national news,” Maher said. “A close friend of mine, good friend of this show, was stabbed today, Salman Rushdie. I’m sure everyone has seen this news.”

Maher continued by discussing his feelings around the Islamic faith. “Islam is still a much more orthodox religion than any other religion in the world, and that means they take what’s in the holy books very seriously,” said the presenter. “And that has been dangerous for a long time – it is still dangerous. This was 1989 when he was first threatened. “

Morgan responded by saying that freedom of speech in the US is at risk, and he likened the Rushdie attack to comedians Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock who took to the stage earlier this year.

“Ask Dave Chappelle – attacked on stage for opinions, for jokes,” says Morgan. “Ask Chris Rock, the boxer on the Oscars stage for making jokes. Once it turns violent, you end up with Salman Rushdie being stabbed by a lunatic on stage in New York. “

Police have named Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey, as the assault suspect in the Rushdie stabbing. Matar was arrested at the scene, and police have yet to determine a motive.