An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel.&nbsp;After being attacked by a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, 24, on the stage of a literary event&nbsp;in western New York in August near Lake Erie, Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand, as reported by AFP.&nbsp;

"We sincerely thank the brave action of the young American who made Muslims happy by blinding one of Rushdie's eyes and disabling one of his hands," said Mohammad Esmail Zarei, secretary of the Foundation to Implement Imam Khomeini's Fatwas.

"Rushdie is now no more than living dead and to honour this brave action, about 1,000 square metres of agricultural land will be donated to the person or any of his legal representatives," Zarei added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roald-dahl-classics-modified-to-remove-stereotypical-language-move-sparks-criticism-563994/amp">Roald Dahl classics modified to remove stereotypical language, move sparks criticism</a>

The attack occurred 33 years to the day after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran at the time, called on Muslims to assassinate Rushdie a few months after the publication of "The Satanic Verses" in a religious decree known as a fatwa. For some Muslims, the novel's references to the Prophet Muhammad were blasphemous.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Salman Rushdie's first interview since 2022 stabbing

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With a bounty on his head, Rushdie spent nine years in hiding under the protection of the British police.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel.

An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel. After being attacked by a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, 24, on the stage of a literary event in western New York in August near Lake Erie, Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand, as reported by AFP. "We sincerely thank the brave action of the young American who made Muslims happy by blinding one of Rushdie's eyes and disabling one of his hands," said Mohammad Esmail Zarei, secretary of the Foundation to Implement Imam Khomeini's Fatwas. "Rushdie is now no more than living dead and to honour this brave action, about 1,000 square metres of agricultural land will be donated to the person or any of his legal representatives," Zarei added. ALSO READ | Roald Dahl classics modified to remove stereotypical language, move sparks criticism The attack occurred 33 years to the day after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran at the time, called on Muslims to assassinate Rushdie a few months after the publication of "The Satanic Verses" in a religious decree known as a fatwa. For some Muslims, the novel's references to the Prophet Muhammad were blasphemous. ALSO WATCH | Salman Rushdie's first interview since 2022 stabbing With a bounty on his head, Rushdie spent nine years in hiding under the protection of the British police. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Salman Rushdie now no more than living dead': Iran to reward attacker with 1,000 square metres land

The Iraqi government and security forces are "responsible for the bloodshed" during recent protests, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said on Friday.

In a sermon read out at the main weekly prayers, Sistani gave authorities "two weeks" to release the findings of an investigation into the more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-violent-protests-in-iraq-at-least-100-dead-over-6000-hurt-254349">100 deaths recorded</a> during the protests since October 1.

Spiritual leader for Iraq's Shiite majority, Sistani wields significant power to influence the government.

Iraq descended into violence at the start of the month as protests that began with demands for an end to rampant corruption and chronic unemployment escalated with calls for a complete overhaul of the political system.

The demonstrations from October 1-6 in Baghdad and across the south of the country quickly turned violent, as protests were met with tear gas and live fire, with over 100 killed and more than 6,000 wounded.

Uncertainty over the identity of the perpetrators persists, with authorities blaming "unidentified snipers".

But protestors and human rights advocates insist Iraqi security forces participated in the violent repression of the rallies.

The demonstrations were unprecedented because of their apparent spontaneity and independence in a deeply politicised society.

Sistani endorsed the protests on October 4, calling on the government to heed the demonstrators' demands "before it's too late".

"The government must change its approach in dealing with the country's problems," the cleric said, adding that lawmakers also bore a heavy responsibility.

Sistani wields huge influence within Iraq's Shiite community, among whom the deadly protests were concentrated.

"The government and its security forces are responsible for the bloodshed during the recent protests", said Abdel Mahdi al-Karbalai, a representative of Sistani who read his sermon in Karbala on Friday.

"What happened demonstrates an unfettered violence that goes beyond all limits of the imagination," he added, saying "the government is responsible when, under the eye of law enforcement, protestors are fired on illegally and media are beaten or attacked to terrorise their employees."

The Ayatollah went on to call on authorities to act to "put an end to threats, beatings, abductions, sniper fire and violence by those who believe they can act with total impunity."

After six days of violence, the authorities recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-military-admits-excessive-force-used-in-deadly-protests-254197">"excessive force outside the rules of engagement"</a> had been used in Sadr City, the Baghdad stronghold of influential Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr.

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Wednesday promised a full probe into the violence.

In a televised address to the nation, Abdel Mahdi promised compensation to the "martyrs" -- both civilians and members of the security forces killed in clashes.

He also said he would propose a government reshuffle on Thursday to parliament.

The Iraqi government and security forces are "responsible for the bloodshed" during recent protests, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said on Friday.

The Iraqi government and security forces are "responsible for the bloodshed" during recent protests, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said on Friday. In a sermon read out at the main weekly prayers, Sistani gave authorities "two weeks" to release the findings of an investigation into the more than 100 deaths recorded during the protests since October 1. Spiritual leader for Iraq's Shiite majority, Sistani wields significant power to influence the government. Iraq descended into violence at the start of the month as protests that began with demands for an end to rampant corruption and chronic unemployment escalated with calls for a complete overhaul of the political system. The demonstrations from October 1-6 in Baghdad and across the south of the country quickly turned violent, as protests were met with tear gas and live fire, with over 100 killed and more than 6,000 wounded. Uncertainty over the identity of the perpetrators persists, with authorities blaming "unidentified snipers". But protestors and human rights advocates insist Iraqi security forces participated in the violent repression of the rallies. The demonstrations were unprecedented because of their apparent spontaneity and independence in a deeply politicised society. Sistani endorsed the protests on October 4, calling on the government to heed the demonstrators' demands "before it's too late". "The government must change its approach in dealing with the country's problems," the cleric said, adding that lawmakers also bore a heavy responsibility. Sistani wields huge influence within Iraq's Shiite community, among whom the deadly protests were concentrated. "The government and its security forces are responsible for the bloodshed during the recent protests", said Abdel Mahdi al-Karbalai, a representative of Sistani who read his sermon in Karbala on Friday. "What happened demonstrates an unfettered violence that goes beyond all limits of the imagination," he added, saying "the government is responsible when, under the eye of law enforcement, protestors are fired on illegally and media are beaten or attacked to terrorise their employees." The Ayatollah went on to call on authorities to act to "put an end to threats, beatings, abductions, sniper fire and violence by those who believe they can act with total impunity." After six days of violence, the authorities recognised "excessive force outside the rules of engagement" had been used in Sadr City, the Baghdad stronghold of influential Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Wednesday promised a full probe into the violence. In a televised address to the nation, Abdel Mahdi promised compensation to the "martyrs" -- both civilians and members of the security forces killed in clashes. He also said he would propose a government reshuffle on Thursday to parliament.

Top Iraq cleric says government responsible for protest deaths

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