Reuters: Random House pulls novel on Islam, fears violence
Publisher Random House has pulled a novel about the Prophet Mohammed’s child bride, fearing it could “incite acts of violence.”
“The Jewel of Medina,” a debut novel by journalist Sherry Jones, 46, was due to be published on August 12 by Random House, a unit of Bertelsmann AG, and an eight-city publicity tour had been scheduled, Jones told Reuters on Thursday.
The novel traces the life of A’isha from her engagement to Mohammed, when she was six, until the prophet’s death. Jones said that she was shocked to learn in May, that publication would be postponed indefinitely.
“I have deliberately and consciously written respectfully about Islam and Mohammed … I envisioned that my book would be a bridge-builder,” said Jones.
Random House deputy publisher Thomas Perry said in a statement the company 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.”
“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,” Perry said.
Can’t you just feel the peace in the religion? Notice that books, art, etc, about Christianity never causes worry about reprisal violence. Only with the Religion of Peace, which believes words are good enough for violence.
Jones probably worked on the novel for at least a year, probably more. Now, all that work is for nothing, because of the nature of so many people who are Muslims. Maybe Random House will grow a pair. I was about to write “just like Live Leak,” but, it appears Fitna is missing from the site again.
