Queen confers knighthood on
Salman Rushdie
LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II
conferred a knighthood on “The Satanic Verses” author Salman Rushdie on June
25, a year after the announcement of the knighthood provoked protests from the
Muslim world.
Some Muslims accused Rushdie of blasphemy in
the book and Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini pronounced a death
sentence on him in 1989.
Rushdie spent years in hiding, appearing only
occasionally with security guards in public venues.
“I really have no regrets about any of my
work,” Rushdie told reporters after being asked about “The Satanic Verses.”
“This is, as I say, an honor not for any
specific book but for a very long career in writing and I’m happy to see that
recognized,” he said.
Rushdie, 61, published his first novel, “Grimus,”
in 1975.
Success came with his next book, “Midnight’s
Children,” which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981.
Rushdie was forced to accept round-the-clock
protection after “The Satanic Verses,” was published in 1988.
The Iranian government withdrew the death sentence
in 1998 and Rushdie has gradually returned to public life.
“It’s been a long time — my first novel
was published 33 years ago but I think the thing you hope to do as a writer is
leave behind a shelf of interesting books and it’s great just to have that work
recognized,” Rushdie told reporters.
He added: “At this stage, you know, it’s certainly not a day to talk
about controversy, it’s a day for myself and my family to celebrate this.”