Controversial "Satanic Verses" Author Is Knighted in Britain

Queen Elizabeth II conferred knighthood Wednesday to author Salman Rushdie for his services to literature, a year after the announcement of her decision resulted in Muslim protests around the globe.

Rushdie's 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, sparked controversy in the Muslim world for it's perceived irreverence for the prophet Muhammad. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the then-spiritual leader of Iran, announced a "fatwa," or religious decree, in 1989 requiring for Rushdie's death.

"This is, as I say, an honor for not any specific book but for a very long career in writing," Rushdie told reporters Wednesday, "I'm happy to see that recognized."

Indian-born Rushdie lived under nonstop protection and moved residences numerous times after the decree. He completely resurfaced to public life after the Iranian government withdrew the fatwa in 1998.

Numerous countries, including Pakistan, demanded Britain withdraw the knighthood after the plans were first announced. But Rushdie, 61, chose to focus on his current accomplishments rather than his past controversy at Wednesday's knighting.

"If you're lucky enough to have one book get into people's consciousness in that way then it's fortunate," Rushdie said to BBC News, "But I'm more interested in my more recent work, really."

Since publishing his first novel, Grimus, in 1975, Rushdie has won many awards for his fiction including the prestigious Booker Prize for his second novel, Midnight's Children.