Europe News
Serbian publisher resumes sale of Jewel of Medina
Sep 15, 2008, 17:03 GMT
Belgrade - Belgrade publisher Beobook returned to bookstore shelves Monday a translation of the controversial book Jewel of Medina by American author Sherry Jones.
The book was removed in August after protests by the Islamic community in Serbia. The withdrawal caused uproar among human rights organizations who complained of censorship.
Beobook said the book was returned to the stores after positive reviews from the readers who bought pirate copies or paid a lot for the remaining copies.
'This decision is good both for the Islamic community in Serbia and for the readers who are the only competent to judge, and for the publisher as well' Beobook's owner Aleksandar Jasic told local media.
Islamic community did not immediately comment on Beobook's decision to resume the sales.
Jewel of Medina describes the Muslim Prophet Mohammed's relationship with his favorite wife, Aisha. Serbia's Islamic leaders strongly protested the publication of the book accusing Beobook of desecrating Mohammed and his family.
The Serbian translation was to be the first worldwide following the publication of the book in the US. US publisher Random House withdrew the book from the US market following protests from Muslims.

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Older Talkback
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As a child, I remember watching one of my favourite superhero cartoons. A hideous monster with immense powers was unleashed on the innocent citizens of a made-up city in super hero world. One by one the superheroes were beaten by the monster and with each attempt, as the super heroes failed, the monster appeared to get stronger they realised their failing - each time the super heroes struck at the Monster, it was drawing on their strength and getting more powerful.
I have been inundated with emails about the recent release of the polemical, not to say highly distasteful, Jewel of Medina. My main concern relating to this issue is that someone out there is going to do something crazy. We know that four people have already been arrested in London over an alleged attack on the publisher – I am praying there will be not further incidents.
Why do Muslims fall for it every time? Why do we always get duped by “let’s see what we can do to wind up Muslims and get a story from a random hot-head?”
First it was global upheaval, following the publication of cartoons in the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten. More than 100 people died in the ensuing protests. As you may recall, London had its own angry protests, images of Muslims beamed all over the world calling for violence, whilst covering their faces, the very images in the psyche of non –muslins when videos of innocent captives are killed on camera at the hands of violent extremists. Those Muslims who attended may have felt they did something for the sake of Allah. From a simplistic point of view, I take your point. However, when one examines the impact it plays on the political arena, it was exactly what our enemies wanted to happen. If I was the Caliph (you never know!), I would probably have been tempted to lash you for your political naivety. We played right into their hands. The forces that work against us relished those moments and furthered their demonisation case against us as an “extreme, violent and alien community living in our midst.” I can just imagine them, “Fools” they cackle, whilst watching us dig our own graves. The prophet once said: “A Muslim is never bitten from the same hole twice.” Not only do we get bitten the second time, but actually out-stretch our hand......
read the rest on Adam Deen blog.
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PeriodSep 16th, 2008 - 08:00:20
Free nations don't ban books.
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