Author Salman Rushdie, who came to fame for his book, The Satanic Verses, has been reportedly stabbed as he was preparing to speak at a literary event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y.

The man walked onto the stage and attacked the author. Rushdie, who was still alive, was rushed to a nearby hospital. One report stated he was stabbed multiple times and others state he was stabbed in the neck.

Rushdie wrote The Satanic Verses in 1988, which was in part inspired by the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The title refers to verses that Islamic tradition states Muhammad added to the Koran that talk about three pagan goddesses: Allāt, Al-Uzza, and Manāt.

Tradition adds that Muhammad later removed these verses, stating he had been tempted by the devil.

Because of its depiction of Muhammad, some Muslims believe the book to be blasphemous and in 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s execution.

Though the Iranian government has since backed away from this, in 2012, a religious organization in that country offered a reward of $3 million to anyone who killed Rushdie, the New York Post reports.

READ: Salman Rushdie stabbed during appearance in New York AND Salman Rushdie in surgery after being stabbed 10 to 15 times — once in the neck: Daily Mail

The assailant was arrested shortly after the attack. There is no indication of how soon New York plans to release the alleged attacker. RELATED: NY Bail Reform: Accused killer released with no bail and second alleged shooter was already out on parole AND Outrage after man accused of killing Chinese food delivery worker released on bail