ON February 14, 1989, the then Supreme Leader of Iran — Ayatollah Khomeini — called for the death of Indiaborn British writer Salman Rushdie, claiming his sensational novel The Satanic Verses was blasphemous and mocked the Islamic faith. That was 25 years ago.

Rushdie, survivor of several failed assassination attempts, will be special guest of the Calabash Literary Festival to be held May 30-June 1 in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth. Festival director Kwame Dawes tells the Sunday Observer it was fellow director Justine Henzell’s idea to bring in the celebrated author for the biennial event.

“My response? ‘Let’s try’ — it’s always my response to Justine’s suggestions. He said yes and it pleased us that he did.” Getting Rushdie was not difficult, according to Dawes. “He knew of the festival through other authors who have been to it, and so he was aware of us when we asked him.

These days, we are not surprised by who will come. It has taken years of staging a festival with the highest standards in mind, and one that is good to its authors. Word gets around,” says Dawes. Founded in 2001, the festival’s guest list includes St Lucian poet/playwright and Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott; Nigerian author Wole Soyinka as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Yusef Komunyakaa and Louis Simpson.

Dawes says there is a handful of authors whose reputation, artistic excellence and fame makes them household names. “Rushdie is one of those. His willingness to come humbles us,” he states.

“Salman Rushdie is a brilliant writer, an innovative craftsman and has startling intelligence. He has at least two novels that have quite rapidly become instant classics for their genius and their timing.

This was true long before the fatwa [learned interpretation given on issues pertaining to the Islamic law] was announced. It remains true since then. In fact, his prodigious output has continued unabated, despite living in dire and unenviable circumstances, and has added to his stature,” Dawes continues.

Tomorrow, Rushdie is expected to collect a PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award for his “unparalleled courage” at a gala in New York City.

Despite the security issues which have surrounded him for 25 years, the author has asked Calabash organisers to treat him like any other guest. However, Dawes says the appropriate measures will be taken to ensure his and the safety of all guests.