19 May 2023 , 17:35
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Salman Rushdie has made an unexpected return to public life at a gala celebrating freedom of expression.
The author, who was left blind in one eye after a knife attack last August, surprised guests at the PEN America Literary Gala.
Accepting a prize, Rushdie said: “It’s nice to be back, as opposed to not being back, which was also a possibility.”
He also told the crowd at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on Thursday: “Violence must not deter us. The struggle goes on.”
The author’s 1988 novel The Satanic Verses – inspired by the Islamic prophet Muhammad – angered many Muslims. A 1989 fatwa against Rushdie has since been lifted but some hardliners still find the book blasphemous.
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Rushdie before the attack (Getty Images)Hadi Matar, 24, who attacked Rushdie while he was speaking onstage last summer, did not say if the fatwa prompted the attack.
He is due to stand trial for attempted murder next year.
Thursday's event was Rushdie's first in-person appearance at a public event since he was attacked at a literary festival in Western New York.
Rushdie, whose attendance had not been announced, spoke briefly and dedicated some of his remarks to those who came to his help at the Chautauqua Institution, where he was repeatedly stabbed.
He cited a fellow attendee, Henry Reese of the City of Asylum project in Pittsburgh, for tackling the assailant and thanked audience members who also stepped in.
“I accept this award, therefore, on behalf of all those who came to my rescue,” the author said.
“I was the target that day, but they were the heroes. The courage, that day, was all theirs, and I thank them for saving my life.
“And I have one last thing to add. It’s this: Terror must not terrorise us. Violence must not deter us. La lutte continue. La lutta continua. The struggle goes on.”
Earlier this week, Rushdie delivered a video message to the British Book Awards, where he was given a Freedom to Publish Prize.