But they’re really guilty of dhimmi cowardice. “Writers accuse Random House of censorship,” from ABC News Australia, August 19 (thanks to JE):
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….