Jewel Of Medina to return to Serbian bookstores
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A controversial novel on the Prophet Mohammed's life will return to Serbian bookstores this week, a month after the publisher withdrew it due to complaints from the Muslim community.
"The Jewel Of Medina will be released again today and it will be in bookstores by Wednesday," Aleksandar Jasic, the director of Serbian publisher Beobook, told Reuters.
"We don't think it insults anyone.
"Besides, the book will be launched in October across the globe. From Britain and Germany, to Brazil and the US," he added.
Random House cancelled the US launch of The Jewel Of Medina in August. Another publisher, Beaufort Books, has since bought the novel and announced its release for October.
The Serbian translation of the debut novel by American journalist Sherry Jones was launched on August 1. Beobook, which sold 600 copies in the first two weeks of August, withdrew it when the Islamic community demanded a ban on its sale.
Serbian Muslims said the content of the book, especially details describing relations between Mohammed and his wife Aisha, offended their feelings.
"Private lives are something we should keep to ourselves," Serbia's Imam Muhamed Jusufspahic said.
Mr Jasic said the reaction of parts of the community in Serbia was unusually strong so he had decided to withdraw the whole edition from stores.
"We decided to give some time to those who think their human rights had been violated to initiate a court procedure to ban the book. It is for the court to decide whether a book entices hatred or calls on violence."
No court case has been started. he said.
- Reuters
