CAIRO: Two books by controversial Egyptian feminist author Nawal El-Saadawi have become the center of debate among writers and intellectuals after prominent publisher Mahmoud Madbouli gave an interview explaining his reasons to halt their publication.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) on June 14, Madbouli said he had pulped those copies of the books held in stock and halted the printing of more 3,000 more copies, a decision that cost the publishing house LE 70,000.
Madbouli, one of the most important publishers in Egypt, decided to cease publication of two novels – “Fall of the Imam, published in 1987, and “God Resigns from the Summit Meeting, published in English in 1996 and translated into Arabic two years ago – after one journalist told him that the two books offended core religious values and constituted an attack on God.
The two works are among 45 books written by Nawal El-Saadawi and published by Madbouli, whose publishing company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Established 1985 by owner Mahmoud Madbouli, it has developed into one of the biggest publishing houses in Egypt.
The company is famous for printing controversial social and political books that other publishers usually refuse to take on. The owner says he wonders why this issue is being discussed these days although the incident happened a long time ago.
He was recently quoted in the Egyptian press as saying that he is definitely pro-freedom of expression, but is unable to accept insults against God. He also said that he informed the author before taking this action, and claims that she was understanding.
In “God Resigns from the Summit Meeting the writer symbolically depicts God as a 60-year-old man dressed as a king and surrounded by soldiers with a lake of water and rivers of wine under his feet. The devil, meanwhile, appears as a handsome 30-year-old man, and Radwan, the keeper of heavens, is pictured as God’s private secretary.
“The Fall of the Imam was translated into 14 languages and banned from participating in the Cairo International Book Fair because it was deemed sacrilegious.
Both books were condemned years ago as a violation of Islam by the Islamic Research Center, which urged the Egyptian government to ban them.
El-Saadawi, who decided to leave Egypt and is being honored by several universities in Europe and the United States, has since told Al-Masry Al-Youm that she used the figure of the imam to represent any political leader who uses religion for achieving political objectives.
Concerning the publisher, she said that she empathizes with him because the real people to blame for this situation are Egyptian intellectuals.
Prominent writer and novelist Alaa El-Aswany was astonished by the destruction of the two books by Madbouli.
“I am totally against any kind of censorship from anyone, he told Daily News Egypt.
“It is very disgraceful to censor books here, while in civilized countries only law governs issues related to freedom of expression.
“Nawal El-Saadawi is a brave and respectful writer. Disagreeing with her on some issues doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate her, but I think she paid the price of her freedom of expression, he continued.
He said that there can’t be freedom of expression until general freedoms, such as judicial independence and fair elections, have been established.
El-Saadawi is currently facing a case filed against her by Nabih El-Wahsh, a lawyer well-known for brining cases involving accusations of atheism.
Evidence presented by El-Wahsh includes a previous fatwa (religious edict) from the former Grand Mufti Nasr Farid Wasel, accusing El-Saadawi of apostasy.
