HotmailPublication of ‘Jewel of Medina’ delayed in U.K.
Controversial novel postponed by company whose offices were firebombed
 Andrej Isakovic / AFP - Getty Images A Belgrade bookstore displays American journalist Sherry Jones' novel "The Jewel of Medina," which traces the life of a child bride of the prophet Muhammad. However, the book's British publisher has decided to postpone publication there after its offices were fire-bombed. |
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A British company has delayed publication of a controversial novel about one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives after its offices were firebombed, a magazine reported Saturday.
The Bookseller magazine said on its Web site that Gibson Square publishing has decided to postpone the publication of "The Jewel of Medina."
The novel's American author, Sherry Jones of Spokane, Washington, also has decided to cancel a publicity tour to Germany to promote the book, the magazine said.
"We respect Sherry Jones's decision," the publisher said in a statement quoted by the magazine. "In her view the best thing to do is to postpone her visit and the publishing of the novel in Britain."
The publisher said the author hoped the novel would "foster greater understanding" of Islam in the West, the magazine said.
Gibson Square executives could not be reached Saturday for comment. The company has not announced a new publication date.
Three men have been charged with a series of crimes stemming from the September fire-bombing of the publisher's office and home. There were no injuries.
The British publishing company had described the book as a "historical novel about the love story" between the Prophet Muhammad and his favorite wife, Aisha.
The book has been published by Beaufort in the United States, thus far without incident. It was, however, dropped by Random House Inc., the original U.S. publisher, after it received what it called "credible" information that publication "could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment."
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