Author Rushdie receives knighthood

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday gave the author Salman Rushdie the knighthood which caused protests by Muslims around the world when it was announced last year.

Rushdie, 61, was knighted for his services to literature.

When the knighthood was announced in the queen's birthday honours list last June, it sparked condemnation from a number of Muslim countries and organisations, protests, and threats against Britain from Al-Qaeda.

"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 recognised," Rushdie said after receiving his honour.

He added: "At this stage it's certainly not a day to talk...