The British writer Salman Rushdie, who was issued a fatwa by the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 calling for his death because of his novel "The Satanic Verses," was attacked on Friday in a hall where he was preparing to give a lecture in western New York State, according to media reports.

New York police were able to arrest the young man who stabbed him today, Friday.

A man was seen storming the stage at the Chautauqua Institute and began punching and stabbing Rushdie while he was being introduced to the audience. The novelist fell to the ground, and the attacker was restrained by dozens of attendees. Afterwards, he was arrested by New York police.

Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many consider it blasphemous. A year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa permitting Rushdie's killing. A reward of $3 million was announced for anyone who kills him.