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Jordanian Poet Charged With Insulting Islam and Quran

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's Jordan Times and Abu Dhabi's The National earlier this week report on the controversial charges filed by Jordan's state-run Press and Publication Department (PPD) against poet Islam Samhan. The poet has been charged with insulting Islam and the Quran. Apparently the problem is that Samhan incorporated verses from the Quran into his love poetry. He is also charged with violating Jordan's Press and Publications Law because his book of poetry, whose title is variously translated as "Grace Like a Shadow" or "In A Slim Shadow", was published by an unlicensed press and a copy was not submitted to PPD in advance. The Jordanian Writers Association is particularly concerned that Samhan was charged after consultation only with religious authorities, and there was no consultation with specialists in poetry or literature. Copies of Samhan's book have already been removed from bookstores in Jordan. He faces a potential fine of up to the equivalent of $28,000 (US) and up to three years imprisonment.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 23, 2008 (boomark / email).