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Pledge “medina”

"I will buy the Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones but only if 20 other freedom of speech supporters will do the same."

— James Graham, Freedom of Speech Supporter (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 30^th October 2008
22 people signed up (2 over target)

Country: United Kingdom

More details
The owners of Gibson Square publishers in Islington have been the target of a petrol bomb, allegedly because they were to publish a controversial novel, The Jewel of Medina.

We reject and condemn this unjustifiable terrorist action.

While recognising freedom of religion, we believe that a free society must also protect freedom of speech.

We can’t pick and choose the rights we defend; and we can’t pick and choose the views we allow to be heard. The best way to fight extremism is with words, not swords.

We understand that deep offence can be caused by the expression of some ideas and views, and welcome the fact that the overwhelming majority of people will respond with debate or peaceful protest, not violence.

Freedom is indivisible; bombs are unacceptable.

To quote Gibson Square founder Martin Rynja, “In an open society there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear.”

Comments on this pledge

• I already own a copy of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses"; I'm sure this can sit alongside it in a collection of bad books I had to buy.
  Richard Gadsden, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• For the avoidance of doubt, I am not in any way involved with Gibson Square and am not, as has been suggested, doing this as a "marketing exercise."
  
  Nonetheless I do believe that if you support freedom of speech and it is under attack, it is both legitimate and incumbant on you to put your money where your mouth is. Others are welcome to disagree.
  James Graham, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• If someone doesn't want me to read something then I want to read it. A strong ideological position does not fear the printed word. Book burning is a strategy of the weak and the scared. I'll buy it and read it on principle even if I'm not impressed by it and probably buy copies as presents for friends as well :)
  Alex Fitch, 17 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• i agree that people should not use violence because they have been offended such as blowing a place up like some stupid thick people but i do believe this book has been created by the author Sherry jones (jewel of Medina) to cause strife and upheaval in a multicultural country and for money. she is an evil woman and she siad she created this book to make aisha seem 'real' to people - how can aisha not be real just as jesus is real to christians?! just because jesus isnt alive does not mean he is an alien or he not human! aisha is very real to me. she also explained that she wanted to show people a historical point from her book aswell - looking at history of the prophet muhammads day and age, the book is fiction and it is historically inaccurate then what excuse does she have? and sherry jones also says "Anyone who reads the book will see that it honours the prophet and his favourite wife" if a book depicts that aisha had run away with another man and then came back to muhammad which is historically UNTRUE it shows that adultury is acceptable and also morally degrading! and how does this show honour?? that woman sherry is despicable!!
  shuhena, 16 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Shame on her & the publishers that would publish this book. I symphasise with her & her supporters ignornance. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH is the purist man ever in this world. Revealing lies would serve her nothing but highlighting her racist & hateful self to the world.
  
  Sherry , check out the book written about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH (The most influential person in history) , educate yourself & do effiecent research before writing crap about blessed prophets. Shame on you..Hell will burn you just the way you deserve it...amen!
  
  Shame on such people & leave us muslims alone!
  
  You have your religon & we have ours..just back off!!!
  M.A.H, 16 months ago. Abusive? Report it!