
Saudi Arabia has summoned the Czech ambassador over a new translation of British writer Salman Rushdie's controversial book "Satanic Verses", official media said Friday.
The kingdom wanted to express its "condemnation and disapproval of translating the book", which it considers offensive to Islam, and hopes Prague will stop publication of the work, the Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed foreign ministry official as saying.
"The kingdom urged that religion and cultures not be insulted in any way or form," the report said.
But Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek told his country's CTK news agency: "We have no reason to interfere in any way because we have freedom of the press and expression."
The first Czech translation of the novel appeared in 1994. Prague's Paseka publishing house issued the latest version.
In 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran issued a fatwa, or religious edict, that called for Rushdie to be killed.
Khomeini and many others in the Muslim world said he had depicted Islam's Prophet Mohammed irreverently.
On Wednesday, Iran said it will boycott next week's Frankfurt Book Fair after organisers invited Rushdie, an atheist born to non-practising Muslims.
Rushdie, who has lived in the United States since 2000, was knighted in Britain in 2007.
Source: AFP
GMT 18:32 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Nearly 100,000 displaced by fighting in northwest SyriaGMT 18:54 2018 Monday ,08 January
Tunisian police disperse protests against price hikes, unemploymentGMT 18:38 2018 Sunday ,07 January
Imam inaugurates move back to the Prophet’s MihrabGMT 19:14 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Iran: opposition protests and pro-regime ralliesGMT 19:58 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Polisario Threats MINURSO to Enter Restricted Zone of GuergueratGMT 18:19 2018 Monday ,01 January
Syria’s Assad names new defense and other ministersGMT 18:14 2018 Monday ,01 January
Abbas condemns Israeli ruling party vote for West Bank annexationGMT 00:20 2017 Saturday ,30 December
Makkah forum to boost innovation, leadership
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor