Salman Rushdie lost sight in one eye following the “brutal” attack.
British author Salman Rushdie attended a New York event on Thursday, appearing in public for the first time since being stabbed last year. his presence on PEN America’s Annual GalaAn organization that supports literature and free speech was not announced and came as a surprise to many.
The venue — the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan — cheered for the award-winning author and even gave her a standing ovation. He also received the Shatabdi Shaurya Award, an honorary award from the organization of which he also previously served as the president. Mr. Rushdie addressed the public and said, “Well, hello everyone. It’s good to be back – unlike not being back, which was also an option. I’m so glad the dice rolled that way.”
In his emotional address, the author said the mission of protecting free expression has never been “more important” in a time of book bans and censorship and issued a call to action. “Terrorism should not terrify us. Violence should not intimidate us. La Lutte continues. La Lutta continues. The struggle continues,” Mr. Rushdie said.
“If it weren’t for these guys, I certainly wouldn’t be standing here today. I was the target that day, but they were the heroes. The courage, that day, was all theirs. I owe my life to them.” ” He continued.
On August 12, 2022, the novelist was giving a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York when a man approached the stage and stabbed and punched her multiple times. He lost sight in one eye and lost the use of one hand after the “brutal” attack and spent nearly two months in hospital.
Mr. Rushdie’s attacker, Hadi Matar, is being held without bail at the Chautauqua County Jail in the village of Mayville. He has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and could face a long prison sentence after the trial is over.