'A Banquet for Seaweed', purely literary perspective
Egypt, Culture, 5/11/2000

A Scientific Committee of Top Egyptian Literary Symbols has concurred that Syrian Writer Haydar Haydar's novel "A Banquet for Seaweed" is a purely literary perspective.

What has been said about the book is by large unfair, as words and phrases from the novel have been wrenched out of context and the unique artistic value of the work totally ignored, it said.

Such literary luminaries in Egypt as Dr. Abdel Qader Al Qet the Committee Rapporteur, Dr. Salah Fadl, Dr. Mustafa Mandour, Dr. Emad Abu Ghazi, acting as Secretary, and Kamel Oheiri compared notes on Haidar's novel before coming up with around-up report that blamed misunderstanding the work of art as a piece of blasphemy against Islam and Prophet Muhammad, that led Al Azhar University students to air their misplaced anger on the streets, on falling to read words within their intrinsic context.

A proper and full reading of the novel would testify to the fact that scores of other phrases, in the book, spelt out deep respect for Islam and religious values, and that by citing irreverent utterances by some imagined character the writer was exercising a legitimate right of exposing the other point of view,the report concluded.

Moreover, Dr. Ahmed Omar Hashem, President of AL Azhar University and Head of the People's Assembly Religious Affairs Committee, said the controversial novel "A Banquet for Seaweed" has been withdrawn from bookshops and distributors.

In a statement Wednesday addressed to his students, Hashem added that the public prosecution had ordered on investigation with Ministry of Culture officials responsible for issuing an edition of the novel.

Azharite students have recently taken to the streets to express anger at the alleged blasphemous content of the book.

Seventy-five of them have been detained for questioning over the acts of rioting spawned by students' demonstrations.

Dr. Hashem said Syrian Writer Haydar Haydar has entrusted a joint team from the Assembly's Cultural and Religious Committees with judging the novel.

He urged AL Azhar students to adhere to Islamic ethics, concentrate on their studies and future and turn a deaf ear to false rumors and wicked incitements.

Previous Stories:
  Students investigated inciting violence   (5/10/2000)
  Egyptian organization for human rights denounces the campaign raised against novel "A Banquet of Seaweed"   (5/10/2000)
  Al Azhar students demonstrate against 'A Banquet for Seaweed'   (5/9/2000)

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