Renowned novelist Salman Rushdie has issued a warning about the severe threats to freedom of expression and publishing currently facing Western countries, calling it
the most significant challenge he has witnessed in his lifetime. Rushdie's remarks come nine months after he was attacked onstage in New York, where he was repeatedly stabbed.
In recognition of his dedication to freedom of expression, Rushdie, 75, was honored with the 'Freedom to Publish' award at The British Book Awards on Monday. In a video message from New York, broadcast during the ceremony, he shared his concerns.
"At this moment, freedom of expression and the freedom to publish are facing unprecedented threats in the Western countries, unlike anything I have witnessed in my lifetime," Rushdie stated.
He emphasized that the freedom to publish encompasses not only the ability to write and publish but also the freedom to read and choose what one wants to engage with without external interference.
Rushdie's own life has been profoundly affected by threats to freedom of expression. In August 2022, he was attacked during a lecture in New York, resulting in blindness in one eye and impaired use of one hand. Throughout his career, Rushdie has faced death threats related to his novel "The Satanic Verses," which was banned in numerous countries with sizable Muslim populations upon its publication in 1988 due to passages deemed blasphemous.
The author also highlighted the banning of certain books in American school libraries and classrooms. He expressed concern over the recent assault on libraries and books for children, describing it as alarmingly alarming and something that demands a vigorous response.
Rushdie further drew attention to the censorship of more than a thousand book titles, particularly those addressing racism and LGBTQ issues, in U.S. classrooms and libraries over the past two years. Conservative pressure from parents and officials has fueled this concerning trend, as reported by the writers' organization PEN America.
Salman Rushdie's remarks serve as a call to action, urging individuals and societies to defend and preserve freedom of expression, essential for a vibrant and democratic culture. Photo by Christoph Kockelmann, Wikimedia commons.