Skopje, 15 August 2022 (MIA) - The Macedonian PEN Center condemns in the strongest possible terms, saying it is appalled by the brutal attack on the world-renowned writer, Salman Rushdie, who has dedicated his life and work to defending freedom of expression and human dignity. After releasing his most famous book in 1988, The Satanic Verses, the Iranian religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, the Macedonian PEN Center said in a statement Monday adding that Salman Rushdie as a result has spent half of his life under constant death threats. "Despite this, Salman Rushdie has unwaveringly pursued his mission worldwide to speak against religious fundamentalism, fanaticism and dogmatism of any kind all the while pointing out the deep cultural and traditional misunderstandings between the East and the West," said the statement. The Macedonian PEN Center considers the attack against the Indian-born Briton as an attack against freedom of thought and expression and wishes the prize-winning writer speedy recovery. Rushdie, who is also the former president of PEN America, was about to deliver a lecture in New York state on Friday, when he was attacked. The man accused of stabbing him pleaded not guilty on Saturday to charges of attempted murder and assault.