British writer Salman Rushdie, who has been away from the public since he was attacked with a knife on August 12 last year, attended an event in New York on Thursday organized by an organization advocating freedom of expression.
The famous Indian-born novelist received an honorary award from the PEN America organization, of which he was once president.
The 75-year-old intellectual, wearing black-lensed glasses over his right eye, was photographed on the red carpet at the event at Manhattan’s Natural History Museum. The writer’s presence was not announced and he addressed the 700 guests.
PEN America has never been more important than it is today, said Rushdie, quoted in a press release from the organization.
“Terrorism must not frighten us. Violence must not stop us. The struggle continues”Rushdie announced in French, Spanish and English.
Rushdie lived in hiding for many years after Iran’s first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, ordered his death under the book. “The Satanic Verses”, published in 1988, which was considered blasphemous by the regime in Tehran. Since then, the writer has become an icon of freedom of expression.
On August 12 last year, Rushdie was attending a literary conference in Chautauqua, a small town in upstate New York, when a young American of Lebanese descent came forward with a knife and stabbed the author ten times.
Rushdie’s literary agent, Andrew Wylie, revealed in October that the writer has lost the sight in one eye and the use of one hand.
Bystanders and guards monitored the attacker, who was arrested, charged and awaits trial in jail.
Source: DN
