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Personal thanks from Jewel of Medina author

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Aug 28, 2008

Sometimes, the emails I receive are downright ugly. But here’s one that’s nothing short of beeyootiful.

It comes from Sherry Jones, author of the now-infamous novel, The Jewel of Medina, which tells the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s youngest wife, Aisha. Random House bought the rights to release the book in America, only to cancel publication out of sheer fear.

In a column for the Globe and Mail, I spoke my mind about Random House’s decision. My commentary ended by celebrating the gutsiness of the first publisher to take a chance on The Trouble With Islam Today. That publisher’s name? Random House Canada.

Hours after the piece ran, I found this in my inbox:

“Irshad, your column was priceless. I had goosebumps when I read your final line.

By far, it’s the best written account of events I’ve seen… The irony is that my book, previously deemed of interest mostly to Western women, now has interest all over the world, including in Denmark!

And its impact now extends far beyond the text, challenging us to continue the fight for our freedoms; challenging the moderate Muslim community to stand up and be heard; giving voice to the weariness we are all feeling in the U.S. of living fear-stunted lives.

With voices like yours rising up in defense of my freedom of speech, I do not feel muzzled — not any more.”

Nor should readers feel gagged. Fans of this blog have emailed to say that they’re buying copies of Jewel online as an act of free conscience. A Westerner working in Pakistan told me that he’s already snapped up two copies from amazon.co.uk.

Fabulous. If irshadmanji.com can serve as a launching pad for more sales of Jewel, I’m happy for Sherry.

Even more, I’m thrilled for Aisha.