The publishing industry is once again embroiled in controversy, with Random House scrapping plans to publish a novel about one of Mohammed’s wives.
The Jewel Of Medina by US journalist Sherry Jones tells the story of Aisha, Mohammed’s favourite wife, who was promised to him when she was just six years old. They married when she was nine and he was 52.
Jones says she was driven to write The Jewel Of Medina because she found Aisha to be a remarkable heroine, little known in the West.
Jones says Aisha’s story is an exciting tale of love, war, spiritual awakening and redemption.
But Random House decided to pull the book after advice that it “might be offensive” to some Muslims, and “could incite acts of violence by a small radical segment”.
The publishing group says they want to ensure the safety of the author, Random House staff and others.
“We stand firmly by our responsibility to support our authors and the free discussion of ideas, even those that may be construed as offensive by some. However, a publisher must weigh that responsibility against others that it also bears,” the group said in a statement.
“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.”
The decision has left writers, including celebrated author Salman Rushdie, furious. He has accused the publisher of censorship.
And there are questions about the source of the advice Random House received.
It has been revealed an advanced edition of the novel was sent to a Texas-based professor of Islam, Denise Spellberg. She reportedly described the book as incredibly offensive, poorly researched and strewn with “soft-core” pornographic scenes.
Jones denies claims that her 400-page novel is a racy bodice-ripper.
Her blog was recently taken down, but in earlier entries she defended her motives and research.
“I started writing Jewel for the pleasure of presenting Aisha to the Western world,” Jones wrote.
“I finished it and started its sequel with the hope that these books would become bridge-builders to other counties and increase understanding of Islam, as it was originally intended.
“Although I’ve been aware from the start that my books might offend some people, I’ve never been afraid of physical harm ... I’ve expected controversy, yes, but never terrorism.
“There are no sex scenes in this book. The novel is a work of serious historic fiction detailing the origins of Islam through the eyes of the Prophet Mohammed’s youngest wife.”
Australian writer John Dale is no stranger to this situation. In 2006, his children’s book, which included an Islamic terrorist, was pulped by publishers after they were advised it was unacceptable for sale.
Dale says in the case of Jewel, the publishers have overreacted.
“It’s jumping the gun, really it is,” he said.
“I mean there have been no threats issued so far, so they’re just saying, ‘In case there is’. It’s self-censoring and it’s a timid response, I think.
“It’s a fictionalised account of her life - of Aisha’s life - and I imagine there’d be lots of people who would find a fictionalised account of Jesus’ life offensive too.”