Bangladeshi writer and publisher Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury, popularly known as Tutul, received this year’s International Writer of Courage Award, bestowed by PEN, an international association of British writers. Last year, Tutul was attacked by Islamic extremists armed with machetes and guns, who accused him of “progressive ideas.” Hovering on the brink of death, Tutul managed to survive but he and his family were forced into exile. Accepting the award in London, the writer challenged his critics to counter his views in writing, rather than with violence.