Salman Rushdie became one of the world’s most prominent defenders of literary freedom through both his writing and public advocacy. Beyond his acclaimed novels, he served as President of PEN America and founded the PEN World Voices Festival, helping create platforms for writers confronting censorship and political repression. For decades, he championed the principle that authors must be free to express controversial ideas without fear of violence or intimidation. When he survived a brutal assassination attempt in New York in 2022, the attack underscored the risks faced by writers worldwide and reinforced his status as a leading advocate for free expression.
