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Islington Tribune - by GERALD ISAAMAN
Published: 5 September 2008

Islington publisher steps in to stop ‘censorship by fear’

GIBSON Square, the Islington-based independent publishing house, is to publish in the UK the controversial novel The Jewel of Medina by journalist Sherry Jones despite fears that it may upset Muslims.
Random House pulled the novel in America last month, citing fears that it would cause offence to Muslims. The novel did not have a UK publisher until Gibson Square dramatically pulled off a deal this week.
The deal was made by Gibson Square publisher Martin Rynja, and accepted after further discussions with Sherry Jones and her agent Natasha Kern.
Gibson Square’s offer for the book’s British rights was the first English language one made after the Random House decision, and was made following a statement by prize-winning author Sir Salman Rushdie that Random House’s decision amounted to “censorship by fear”.
The book is a fictionalised account of the Prophet Mohammed’s relationship with his child-bride Aisha.
American academic Denise Spellberg described it as a “very ugly, stupid piece of work”.
Mr Rynja told the Tribune: “I was completely bowled over by the novel and the moving love story it portrays.
“I was struck by the careful research of Sherry Jones, who is a journalist with almost 30 years of experience, and her passion for the novel’s characters.
“I immediately felt that it was imperative to publish it. 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: “The Jewel of Medina has become an important barometer of our time.”
Mr Rynja describes the book as a “perfect fit” for the publisher, who has previously published Alexander Litvinenko’s Blowing up Russia (2007).
On that occasion, the press conference had to be cancelled for safety
reasons, shortly after his mysterious assassination.
Gibson Square’s first English language edition of The Jewel of Medina will appear next month.

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