Random House, a unit of Bertelsmann AG, has
announced that it has canceled publication of a novel, The Jewel of Medina, by Sherry Jones, that was to be published on August 12. The novel concerns the child wife Aisha of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Random House made no bones about its reasons in doing so, with Deputy Publisher Thomas Perry stating that Random House received “cautionary advice not only that the publication of this book might be offensive to some in the Muslim community, but also that it could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment.” Therefore, he went on, “In this instance we decided, after much deliberation, to postpone publication for the safety of the author, employees of Random House, booksellers and anyone else who would be involved in distribution and sale of the novel.”
Extra! Leading New York Publisher Spikes Book Dealing with Islam! – Daniel Pipes Blog — FYI
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#29 – William Robert
“After consulting security experts and Islam scholars, Mr. Perry said the company decided “to postpone publication for the safety of the author, employees of Random House, booksellers and anyone else who would be involved in distribution and sale of the novel.”
“Postpone it” until when? Until the “small radical segement” decides to fast-forward 1500 years and get with the program?
30 posts yet no one underlines why is this book likely controversial. It is that tiny fact that frequently irritates Muslim Extremists. By their own holy book The Prophet was a pedophile and have consumed his marriage with Aisha at her age of 9.
But to write a book about that abused child, oh what a sacrilege…
Eideard, Random House is NOT an American publiher. They are owned by German multinational conglomerate Bertelsmann.
This is about money, corporate earnings and shows how freedom of expression is just another platitude for rich hypocrites to ignore.
#31 – dusan maletic
Oh man. You’ve gotta go underground now.
You can’t go saying “By their own holy book The Prophet was a pedophile and have consumed his marriage with Aisha at her age of 9” and expect to go unpunished!
Post it on line or maybe try Lulu.com?
Not sure if I’d want my name stuck on it or not. I don’t carry a gun.
#29 billybob. Excellent post. I specially liked the Ms. Nomani’s viewpoint.
This post also contains the only review of the book I’ve been able to find, and it wasn’t very complementary.
It’s also interesting to note that “The last temptation of Christ” was at least as inflammatory as this book, but no one rioted or was murdered.
I believe #22 mentioned FATWAt: http://tinyurl.com/6jg58w
So, what happens when a group of anti-Islamic fundamentalists threaten Random House and the author if they DON’T publish the book? Slippery slope… but I am glad to know that Random House are such wimps and respond well to threats, so if I need want to publish a book, but send it along with some good threats….