Aug. 12, 2008
LITERARY CONTROVERSY: British Muslim Author Angered at 'Censorship' by National Muslim Writers Project
'This is Not Second Coming of "The Satanic Verses,"' Dr. Max Malik Asserts
By David M. Kinchen
Huntingtonnews.net Book Critic
On the same day my review of "Icon of Evil" was published, I received an email from a British subject describing the pre-publication "censorship" of a book by a distinguished British Muslim writer, Dr. Max Malik.
My review of a book exploring the life and influence of the pro-Nazi former grand mufti of Jerusalem in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s -- and at the present time -- included a reference to the decision by the nation's largest publisher, Random House, to "indefinitely postpone" publication of a novel by journalist Sherry Jones entitled "The Jewel of Medina" about the life of A'isha, the favorite wife of the prophet Muhammad.
Here is a link to my review: http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/columns/080811-kinchen-columnsbookreview.html
According to Junaid Bhatti, who sent the email, Dr. Malik, a former recipient of the Muslim Writer of the Year Award, has expressed his anger and deep dismay following the censorship of his debut novel "The Butterfly Hunter". The Muslim Writers Awards, which claims to be a non-religious initiative, chose not to submit the controversial novel to the project's independent judging panel for this year's awards.
Dr. Malik, a physician in Birmingham, England, was winner of the top prize in 2007, and was spurred on by his success to dedicate a year of his life to "The Butterfly Hunter" – an explosive work of fiction which frankly explores the "Clash of Civilizations" expounded by Islamic extremists and Neocons alike, Bhatti wrote. The book also covers controversial issues facing Britain's Muslim community today – including suicide bombing, drug abuse, pedophilia and sexual assault.
Bhatti said the unpublished novel was submitted for review to the Muslim Writers Awards 2008. However, despite the book being shortlisted, the organizers of the initiative did not forward Max's work to the independent panel of judges – which included respected authors and publishers.
Dr. Malik explains: "I'd received very positive feedback from organizers of the MWA and, being a previous winner, was advised I was hot favourite to win for a second year running. However, when I asked the judges for feedback on my novel they told me that it had not been included in the submissions they were asked to judge. It was only then that I realised my work was being censored by the Muslims Writers Awards project."
"I'm angry at the treatment I've received because my creative effort is being treated as if it's somehow unclean and unworthy. Clearly, the Muslim Writers Awards has decided that the novel is so unpalatable for them that it needs to be buried," Malik said.
"I'm deeply dismayed that a project like this, which is supposed to unearth new talent and celebrate artistic expression, has been hijacked by the puritan mindset. Yes it's true that not all the Muslim characters in my book are model citizens. However, this is just a reflection of the realities we face today." added the author.
"It's unseemly that my novel is being treated as if it's the second coming of "The Satanic Verses." I have created a work of fiction, which is neither blasphemous nor disrespectful towards any particular group or individual."
Malik's reference is to the firestorm of criticism, death threats and fatwas that followed the 1988 publication of "The Satanic Verses" by Indian born British author Salman Rushdie.
Further information about Dr. Max Malik's debut work is available at www.thebutterflyhunter.net.
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LITERARY CONTROVERSY: British Muslim Author Angered at 'Censorship' by National Muslim Writers Project
'This is Not Second Coming of "The Satanic Verses,"' Dr. Max Malik Asserts
By David M. Kinchen
Huntingtonnews.net Book Critic
On the same day my review of "Icon of Evil" was published, I received an email from a British subject describing the pre-publication "censorship" of a book by a distinguished British Muslim writer, Dr. Max Malik.
My review of a book exploring the life and influence of the pro-Nazi former grand mufti of Jerusalem in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s -- and at the present time -- included a reference to the decision by the nation's largest publisher, Random House, to "indefinitely postpone" publication of a novel by journalist Sherry Jones entitled "The Jewel of Medina" about the life of A'isha, the favorite wife of the prophet Muhammad.
Here is a link to my review: http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/columns/080811-kinchen-columnsbookreview.html
According to Junaid Bhatti, who sent the email, Dr. Malik, a former recipient of the Muslim Writer of the Year Award, has expressed his anger and deep dismay following the censorship of his debut novel "The Butterfly Hunter". The Muslim Writers Awards, which claims to be a non-religious initiative, chose not to submit the controversial novel to the project's independent judging panel for this year's awards.
Dr. Malik, a physician in Birmingham, England, was winner of the top prize in 2007, and was spurred on by his success to dedicate a year of his life to "The Butterfly Hunter" – an explosive work of fiction which frankly explores the "Clash of Civilizations" expounded by Islamic extremists and Neocons alike, Bhatti wrote. The book also covers controversial issues facing Britain's Muslim community today – including suicide bombing, drug abuse, pedophilia and sexual assault.
Bhatti said the unpublished novel was submitted for review to the Muslim Writers Awards 2008. However, despite the book being shortlisted, the organizers of the initiative did not forward Max's work to the independent panel of judges – which included respected authors and publishers.
Dr. Malik explains: "I'd received very positive feedback from organizers of the MWA and, being a previous winner, was advised I was hot favourite to win for a second year running. However, when I asked the judges for feedback on my novel they told me that it had not been included in the submissions they were asked to judge. It was only then that I realised my work was being censored by the Muslims Writers Awards project."
"I'm angry at the treatment I've received because my creative effort is being treated as if it's somehow unclean and unworthy. Clearly, the Muslim Writers Awards has decided that the novel is so unpalatable for them that it needs to be buried," Malik said.
"I'm deeply dismayed that a project like this, which is supposed to unearth new talent and celebrate artistic expression, has been hijacked by the puritan mindset. Yes it's true that not all the Muslim characters in my book are model citizens. However, this is just a reflection of the realities we face today." added the author.
"It's unseemly that my novel is being treated as if it's the second coming of "The Satanic Verses." I have created a work of fiction, which is neither blasphemous nor disrespectful towards any particular group or individual."
Malik's reference is to the firestorm of criticism, death threats and fatwas that followed the 1988 publication of "The Satanic Verses" by Indian born British author Salman Rushdie.
Further information about Dr. Max Malik's debut work is available at www.thebutterflyhunter.net.
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