Salman Rushdie makes his first public appearance since he was stabbed in New York.

The India-born author was given the PEN Centenary Courage Award by PEN America.

Salman Rushdie made his first public appearance in New York City at the PEN Americas annual gala. Nine months after an attack that almost killed him and left him weak and blind in one eye.

His appearance at the 2023 Literary Gala on Thursday night at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan was a surprise because it hadn't been announced before. The PEN Centenary Courage Award was given to the Indian-born author by PEN America. Rushdie said he was accepting the award on behalf of the "heroes" who rushed the stage at the Chautauqua Institute in New York State on August 12, 2022, after he had been stabbed multiple times and tackled his attacker.

Rushdie, whose book "The Satanic Verses" was published in the 1980s and led to death threats from Iran, lost sight in one eye, had three serious wounds in his neck, and couldn't use one hand because the nerves in his arm were cut. He also had about 15 more wounds in his chest and torso.

Hadi Matar, who is 24 years old, is accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie. When he went to court on August 18, 2022, he pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder and assault charges.