'Threats are pretty much over.. life is relatively normal'

Salman Rushdie's thoughts on fatwa TWO WEEKS before attack

- PATRICK HILL

SIR Salman Rushdie, who was last night battling horrific injuries from a knife attack, was no longer living in fear of the death threat against him.

The Satanic Verses author stabbed on a US stage on Friday was speaking just two weeks ago when he said the 1989 fatwa ordering Muslims to kill him was pronounced long ago and his life was now "relatively normal".

The brave long-time fighter for freedom of expression also called himself an optimist, saying "I prefer to look ahead."

His interview with the German magazine Stern was published early yesterday after the attack on Mr. Rushdie, 75.

He is on a ventilator in a Pennsylvania hospital after being stabbed 15 times.