American author Sherry Jones' new novel "The Jewel of the Medina" follows Mohammed's relationship with his wife, Aisha. Denise Spellberg, an associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas, said that Jones' novel takes "sacred history" and turns it into "softcore pornography."
The comment got someone's attention. London residents spotted smoke and flames near the home of Martin Rynja, whose publishing house will release the novel in the United Kingdom next month. Police investigated and found explosives. Rynja escaped unhurt.
London police have arrested three men so far in connection with the attempted attack. Four other households are also under investigation.
Although publishers and representatives feared arousing anger in the hardline Muslim community with the publication of "The Jewel of Medina," officials have not said whether the men being detained in connection with the case were Muslim.
Jones' representatives have criticized Spellberg's comments. Natasha Kern, Jones' agent, called on the public to read her client's novel in order to counter the "distortions and outright lies that the book either insults Mohammed or contains salacious or suggestive material."
In related news, Danish publisher Bjarke Larsen is reconsidering his company's approach to "The Jewel of Medina" in the wake of the attempted attack in England.
“It makes me rethink the situation. I have a responsibility to my family, and that of course makes me think again,” he said. “On the one hand we have the consideration for the safety of my family and for the fact that things do not escalate out of control. On the other hand we cannot let the freedom of speech be suppressed.”
