On August 11, The Augean Stables covered the unfolding story of Random House’s withering in the face of anti-free speech threats of violence. Random House decided not to publish The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones, a fiction novel about A’isha, Muhammad’s youngest bride. After hearing that the publishing house might face violence for publishing the book, Random House decided to cancel its contract with Jones.
It took an independent British publishing house, Gibson Square, to show the American publishers what standing up for principles is. The publishing director at Gibson Square decided to publish to book despite threats, because in an “open society there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear”.
Unfortunately, some of those threats came to fruition this weekend. Breitbart.com reports:
Police arrested three men on Saturday in connection with a fire at the offices of the publisher of a book about the Prophet Mohammed and his child bride.
The men, aged 22, 30 and 40, were arrested in north London under anti-terrorism legislation after the fire on Saturday morning at Gibson Square’s offices. Police were also searching four addresses in east London.
Britain’s domestic Press Association news agency said some residents, whom it did not identify, reported that the incident may have involved a petrol bomb being pushed through the firm’s letterbox.
Gibson Square is responsible for the publication of “The Jewel of Medina” — a fictional account of the Prophet’s relationship with his youngest bride Aisha — by American author Sherry Jones.
Random House announced last month it had cancelled publication of the book in the United States because of fears of violence.
“The Jewel of Medina” was re-released in Serbia earlier this month after being withdrawn in August under pressure from Islamic leaders.
Martin Rynja, publishing director at Gibson Square, earlier this month defended the decision to publish the book, saying that in “an open society there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear.”
“As an independent publishing company, we feel strongly that we should not be afraid of the consequences of debate,” he added.
Gibson Square could not be immediately contacted for comment on Saturday’s fire and subsequent arrests.
The firm is known for having published other controversial books such as “Blowing Up Russia” by former KGB agent turned Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko.
Litvinenko died in a London hospital in 2006 from radiation poisoning which it is thought he ingested through a cup of tea. Russia has refused to extradite lawmaker and ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi to face charges in Britain.
If you are feeling enormously frustrated by this shameful affair, there is something that you can do. Ordering the book from Gibson House to show your appreciation for their defense of free speech is a fitting way to make sure they and other publishing houses will do the right thing in the future.