Middle East studies in the News

Yale Press Bars Muhammad Images in Book on Cartoon Controversy [incl. Jytte Klausen]

Inside Higher Ed
August 13, 2009

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/08/13/qt

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/7992

Yale University Press will this fall be publishing a book, The Cartoons That Shook The World, about the furor that followed a Danish newspaper's publication of cartoons making fun of Muhammad. But The New York Times reported that the book will not feature any of the cartoons themselves, or other images of Muhammad, including ones that are historic and have been widely featured elsewhere. The Times said that Yale brought together a special panel to consider the use of the images -- and that the press agreed with the recommendation not to include these illustrations. John Donatich, the director of Yale University Press, told the Times that he has always defended controversial work, but that the cartoons and other images could be described in words. One religion scholar, angered by the decision, has withdrawn a blurb for the book. Jytte Klausen, a professor of politics at Brandeis University who wrote the book, questioned Yale's decision, telling the Times: "Muslim friends, leaders and activists thought that the incident was misunderstood, so the cartoons needed to be reprinted so we could have a discussion about it."

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

receive the latest by email: subscribe to campus watch's free mailing list