ZP Dala: The pen is mightier than the brick

    Dala Final

    There has been a groundswell of support for author ZP Dala, who was assaulted by three men last week after expressing her admiration for the writing of Salman Rushdie.

    Rushdie became the target of death threats over 25 years ago, after Iran’s Ayatolla Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his death after the publication of The Satanic Verses, a magical-realism novel that draws on elements of the life of the Prophet Mohammed. Bookshops were bombed, riots broke out and people were injured and killed as a result.

    Despite her injuries, Dala has told The Daily Vox that she will not be silenced. “It’s my responsibility not to back down from words that I uttered myself… I will continue,” she said.

    To show your support for freedom of expression, let us know if you’d like us to add your name to this open letter, or send a message to ZP Dala.Â