Salman Rushdie makes first public appearance after stabbing

New York (IANS) | Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie performed at PEN America’s annual event in New York City for the first time nearly nine months after the deadly attack. His appearance at the 2023 Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan on Thursday night came as a surprise, as it was not announced beforehand.

PEN America honors India-born author with PEN Centenary Courage Award.

Rushdie accepted the award in person in his first public appearance since being seriously injured in a knife attack nine months ago, the non-profit organization said.

The crowd greeted him with applause. Well, hi everyone, it’s good to be back, the 75-year-old noted author said.

I just thought if this is the right thing to choose as a re-entry, it is part of the world of books, the fight against censorship and for human rights.

Rushdie said he was accepting the award on behalf of the heroes who took the stage at the Chautauqua Institute in New York state after the stabbing on August 12, 2022, and confronted the assailant.

If it were not for these people, I certainly would not be standing here today, he said. I was the target that day, but he was the hero. Courage, that day, was all his. I am indebted to him for my life.

Rushdie lost sight in one eye as a result of the murderous attack.

Hadi Matar, 24, who is accused of stabbing Rushdie, pleaded not guilty in the case when he appears in court on August 18, 2022.

Concluding his speech, the author said, terrorism cannot terrorize us. We will not be afraid of violence, the struggle continues.

“It is heartening to see Salman Rushdie return to the public stage after a long period of time and trauma from the attack,” said Suzanne Nosel, CEO of PEN America.

–IANS