Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed British-American writer of Indian descent, recently made a highly anticipated appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair amidst stringent security measures following the stabbing and assassination attempt he endured in New York last year. Rushdie's visit to Frankfurt held dual significance, enabling him to receive the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and to promote his upcoming memoir, titled "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder," set to be released on April 16, 2024.
This visit also provided a remarkable opportunity for the media and the public to gain fresh insights into his perspectives on a wide array of issues and current events after his prolonged absence due to the New York attack.
A New Novel Inspired by the Knife Attack
During a ceremony held at St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt, Salman Rushdie received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for his unwavering commitment to writing despite enduring decades of threats and violence.
The ceremony also provided Rushdie with the opportunity to introduce his latest novel, 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,' a book recounting the attack he endured in 2022. He shared, "It is a topic that has affected me personally, it touches me. After what happened, I couldn't write about anything else." He added, "It would seem kind of absurd to write something else until I had dealt with this subject."
When asked about the fatwa issued by the Iranian authorities calling for his assassination after the publication of 'The Satanic Verses' and whether he had forgotten about it until the attack, Rushdie stated that the Islamic edict had always been present in his mind. "The attack surprised me because everything seemed to have cooled down over the years, but I had never forgotten the fatwa," he said.
Rushdie's publishers announced that he would release a memoir about the attack entitled "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder" in April next year.
Horrified at the escalating Israel Gaza conflict
At the press conference, amidst tight security, Rushdie faced questions on topics present at the Fair, with the Israel-Gaza conflict being a significant one. He remarked, "There are two serious threats: religious fascism and the internal deterioration of many democracies. We have to fight against both." Concerning the latter, he voiced his concern about threats to democracy in some parts of the world. He lamented, “It’s very worrying that one of the major political parties in the United States seems to have departed from democratic values and moved towards a kind of cult of personality,” in reference to former President Donald Trump.
Salman Rushdie made an appeal for an end to the hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, expressing his deep concern, stating, "War is horrible. People die in war... I am filled with horror about the attack by Hamas." He further added, "I'm filled with foreboding about what (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu might do in return... I just hope that there can be a cessation in hostilities at the earliest point."
Rushdie Defended Palestinian writer
Rushdie also criticized the delay in giving the LiBeratur Prize to Adania Shibli, a Palestinian author whose novel A Minor Detail was deemed potentially anti-Israel and anti-Semitic following the Hamas attacks. A Minor Detail is Shibli's third novel, which explores the story of a young Arab woman raped and murdered by an Israeli officer in 1949. The book was published on May 6, 2020, and has received recognition, being longlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize and shortlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Translated Literature.
Rushdie emphasized the importance of promptly granting the award if it was merely postponed and not canceled altogether.
Additionally, he drew attention to the escalating risks faced by journalists and those who criticize the administration." He criticized recent moves to prosecute Booker Prize-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy. "She is one of the great writers of India and a person of enormous integrity and passion," he remarked, adding, "The idea that she should be brought to court for expressing those values is disgraceful." Indian media reported that Roy – a trenchant critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government – could be prosecuted for a 2010 speech about Kashmir.
Writing is an Act of courage
Rushdie also shed light on the significance of literature and the role it plays in society. He emphasized its power to generate beauty and stimulate contemplation. He cautioned against an excessive focus on ideological or propagandistic content, expressing a preference for books that stimulate his intellect rather than dictate his thoughts.
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of staying positive when faced with difficulties. Despite the numerous problems affecting the world, he discovered a glimmer of hope in the act of writing. He recognized the daunting obstacles that aspiring writers encounter, including the fear of rejection and the pressure to avoid contentious topics. Nevertheless, Rushdie shared his own experience with The Satanic Verses, a book that encountered intense opposition yet managed to be published worldwide. Taking inspiration from this, he encouraged young writers to overcome their doubts and write with confidence, emphasizing the importance of skill and creativity in their craft.
