German book publisher pulls out from ‘honour killing’ novel fearing Islamic backlash
October 10th, 2009 - 3:38 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )Berlin, Oct. 10 (ANI): A German publishing company has pulled out from a novel based on ‘Islamic honour killings’ in order to avoid any violent protests from the Muslim community.
The publisher said that he withdrew from the book, which was to be titled ‘To Whom Honour is Due,’ after an Islamic expert warned him that some of the passages could put his life in danger.
“After the Muhammad cartoons, one knows that one can’t publish sentences or drawings that defame Islam without expecting a security risk,” Fox News quoted Felix Droste, of Droste Verlag publishing, as saying.
Gabriele Brinkmann, the author of “To Whom Honor is Due,” has criticized the publisher for the cancellation of her book.
“It’s a scandal for a publisher to tuck its tail between its legs. This is anticipatory obedience,” Brinkmann said.
Critics have called the publishing company’s decision ‘a cowardly move’, but others say the publisher is simply being responsible.
Dr. Phyllis Chesler, author of several books, including “The Death of Feminism: What’s Next in the Struggle for Women’s Freedom,” said cancelling the book is not an isolated case.
“Most academic and mainstream publishers won’t even consider books that might offend Islamists or Muslims. The West has, so far, given in and censored its writers and artists in order to avoid being sued or bombed. Appeasement will get us nowhere,” Dr Phyllis Chesler, author of ‘The Death of Feminism: What’s Next in the Struggle for Women’s Freedom’ said.
However, Nonie Darwish, the author of ‘Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law,’ said the publisher had every right to be afraid.
“The publisher is being realistic in their fear of retaliation from Muslims. I cannot blame the publishing company. I blame Western governments, [the] legal system and police who are not protecting the infidel West from the danger of Islamic assault on Western civilization.
Last month, Yale University Press had removed 12 controversial caricatures of Prophet Muhammad from an upcoming book in order to avoid any violent protests. (ANI)
- Plans for film on Prophet Muhammads life meet with criticism - Nov 26, 2008
- Ministry orders withdrawal of offending text book - Jul 04, 2011
- Sentiments vs freedom: Rushdie issue festers - Jan 29, 2012
- Malaysian PM seeks 'global movement of moderates' - May 17, 2011
- Rushdie's writings painful: Imran Khan - Jan 31, 2012
- Rushdie's Jaipur visit under cloud (Second Lead) - Jan 10, 2012
- Rushdie's Jaipur visit under cloud (Lead) - Jan 09, 2012
- Suspense continues over Rushdie's Jaipur visit (Lead) - Jan 19, 2012
- Binge drinking problem 'getting out of control' - Jan 18, 2011
- First Rushdie, now Taslima - end of cultural tolerance? (West Bengal Newsletter) - Feb 05, 2012
- The Jammu and Kashmir situation: The Azadi Debate (Part I) - Sep 17, 2010
- Don't allow Rushdie in India: Deoband vice chancellor - Jan 09, 2012
- Rushdie visit cancellation sparks outrage on social media - Jan 17, 2012
- Pakistani Muslim scholars to preach peace - Aug 02, 2011
- Beheading of wife by US Muslim TV head appears to be honour killing - Feb 18, 2009
Tags: appeasement, book publisher, defame, droste, fox news, german book, german publishing, global implications, honour killings, islamic law, islamists, isolated case, mainstream publishers, muhammad cartoons, muslim community, phyllis chesler, security risk, violent protests, western civilization, western governments