THE trial of a Turkish author charged with inciting religious hatred in a novel about Islam published last year has been postponed until June 25.
Nedim Gürsel
Nedim Gürsel, who lives in Paris, denies blasphemy, saying that his book – The Daughters of Allah – is a work of fiction, but the result of extensive research and consultation with religious leaders.
The book questions the ideas of belief and violence in Islam, but had no intention of offending religious values, Gürsel is quoted here as saying.
The case was filed in Istanbul after a citizen complained that Gürsel had used inappropriate language against the “Prophet” Mohammed, his wives and the Koran.
Ali Emre Bukagili, the fundamentalist Muslim nutter who filed the complaint, says Gürsel has offended “all Muslims” with his work.
Everyone who calls themselves a Muslim is upset by this book. As a Muslim, I am personally offended.
Of course you are, Chuck. Being offended comes with the territory when you sign up to the Religion of Perpetual Outrage.
If convicted, Gürsel faces at least six months to a year in prison.
He said in this report:
The book does not contain a single sentence that insults Islam. [Words] have been taken out of context and manipulated. I’m stressed and worried because it’s not a pleasant thing to be facing a tribunal, especially for having written a novel. We tend to forget this in Turkey, but it’s just a novel.
The writer is facing the same tribunal that acquitted another famous Turkish novelist, Orhan Pamuk, in 2006 for the charge of insulting Turkishness.
In a public letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in April, Gürsel noted the damage such trials could cause Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
May 28th, 2009 at 11:27 am
"Gürsel noted the damage such trials could cause Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union."
Exactly. And banning access to richarddawkins.net isn't doing their case any favours, either.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I used to think Turkey would be a good EU member state, now I suspect the French (gargle, spit) have a point. Culture trumps geography and Turkey seems to be getting further from the West.
I'm also not surprised to read that words have been taken out of context and manipulated. That's how religious bigots read their own holy books, why would they refrain from treating works of fiction in the same dishonest way?
May 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
valdemar. You seem to draw a distinction between 'holy books' and 'works of fiction'.
I only see tautology!
On a more serious note, I once had half a dozen mauve shirts like the one Neddy is wearing in the pic. I didn't buy them though. A pair of purple socks managed to infiltrate the laundry basket.
Could be a metaphor, eh!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
So what if he does offend Islam? It is free speech. Plenty of muslim crazies offend me by wanting anyone who draws a cartoon sacked, murdered or worse. The fact that Thought for ther Day still censors freedom of speech in favour of the most banal, vacuous crap most days offends me. But then, I am an atheist so none of this matters, in our glorious, expenses driven, tax robbed, religious inspired, phony democracy.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I once had a mauve shirt too, and tie and socks to match, but that was no accident – it was the Seventies!
May 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
And just who IS this Ali Emre Bukagili who has set himself up as spokesperson for "everyone who calls themselves a Muslim"? How exactly does he know that they are all "upset by this book"? The audacity of these people knows no bounds!
(PS We should never have even given a moment`s thought to allowing Turkey to join the EU. It`s just pure empire-bulding, and it`ll all end in tears!!)
May 28th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
No. Twas T' Eighties. Grey and burgundy prevailed . I am so ashamed.
Hang your head in shame barriejohn. I did.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:02 am
NO country with laws pertaining to blesphamy should be allowed to join the EU. or any other civilised organization. The problem is we will never have a civilised world untill we do away with religion the cause of all evils of mankind.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
At least I was never a fashionista (being on the short side, you have to be VERY careful not to look too ridiculous!), so there are, mercifully, no embarrassing wedding photographs of me sporting long hair, sideburns or moustache, and kitted out in wide lapels, kipper tie, flared trousers, and – horror of horrors – MULTI-COLOURED PLATFORM SHOES!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I can't remember who said it, a South American writer whose name escapes me, but he wrote that 'Fiction is a great weapon against dictators and fascists because it can create a world without them in it.'
Perhaps these Muslim fundies, who would like to see the world under a theocratic dictatorship, are afraid of fiction opening people's mind to the possibility that what they are trying to impose is nonsense. Just a thought.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
We need to get ready for a new UK muslim storm heading our way in June as the soap eastenders is to feature a Muslim man having a gay relationship
May 29th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
And as we all know now, no "true" Muslim has ever been gay!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
And in Europe and Canada and Australia scholars who question anything about the Jewish holocaust are imprisoned as holocaust deniers. Practice equanimity. Free speech in so-called democracies …!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I posted a brilliantly witty and erudite reply to your comment Remigius, and it has disappeared again, so I`ll have a bash at replicating it! Being on the short side, and thus needing to avoid looking completely stupid, I have, mercifully, never been a fashionista. Thus, there are no embarrassing wedding photographs of me sporting long hair and sideburns, while kitted out in wide lapels, kipper tie, flared trousers, and multi-coloured platform shoes!! Ring any bells?!!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I`ve sent you two replies to this comment now remigius, and both have disappeared, so I`m giving up! I`m on the verge of giving up on the site altogether in fact!!
May 31st, 2009 at 8:13 am
It`s not "just a thought" Rozi – you`re absolutely right!
May 31st, 2009 at 8:14 am
Now you can read them BOTH – what do you know about that then?!!