London, UK, October 8, 2008 – Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain strongly condemns the US publication of the controversial book the Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones. The book, described by a US academic who reviewed it as making “fun of Muslims and their history" and who also went on to say that “there is a long history of anti-Islamic polemic that uses sex and violence to attack the Prophet and his faith. This novel follows in that oft-trodden path."
Taji Mustafa, media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain said: “We utterly condemn this book and its provocative publication. Western societies commonly practice self-censorship when it comes to issues of race, gender or sexual orientation. The original publisher – Random House – recognised the great offence the book would cause hence the decision not to publish it.”
“Yet, the decision to publish by Beaufort Books has once again illustrated there is to be no restraint on insulting, offending or breeding resentment when it comes to Islam– especially in this era of Western governments’ global War on Islam.”
“This book is undoubtedly offensive. It is a shallow and disgusting portrayal of some of the dearest people to us. It is amazing that some in Western Europe and North America – the author, the publishers, and some journalists –celebrate, as a value they call enlightened, the freedom to insult abuse and denigrate.“
”Is it any wonder why there is systemic anti-social behaviour and disrespect in western societies? Why children abuse parents? Why pupils abuse teachers? Why there is no respect for authority or why people disrespect each other? A society that feels comfortable abusing Allah, His Prophets, the religious beliefs that many – not just Muslims – hold sacred, will feel quite comfortable abusing and insulting lesser things.”
”Despite the fact that there is huge pressure on Muslims in the west to remain silent, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will raise awareness and speak out, putting across our views in the most effective, vocal and persistent of ways regarding the book and the correct response of Muslims, because speaking against arrogance and ignorance, in defence of our Prophet is an obligation upon us.”
“Furthermore Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will be exposing the neglect of the regimes in Muslim countries who take little or no effective action in defending the values of Islam. Only recently we saw how the Saudi regime used its influence to halt a fraud investigation into BAE systems, yet these rulers remain silent on any insults of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).”
“Occupation of Muslim lands, attacks on the Shariah, offensive Danish cartoons and now dishonour of the Prophet and the Mother of the Believers will no doubt continue until the Muslim world removes the impotent puppet rulers and establishes an Islamic government, the Khilafah that will stand up against these atrocities against Muslims and Islam.”
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