Two Moroccan books banned at Egyptian book fair

The Egyptian censorship authority has banned two Moroccan books from the 33rd Cairo's book fair, Moroccan publishers told MAP.

The sources said two books by Moroccan authors Fatima El Mernissi and Mohamed Choukri were seized at the opening of the book fair by the censorship authority which gave no reason.

One of the two books "Hal Antoum Mohassanoun Dedda Al Harim" (Are you shielded against Harem?) was put back on the fair shelves five days later.

Choukri's autobiography "Al Khaima" (the tent), published by a Lebanese publishing house, was definitely banned.

Egyptian media sources said several other Egyptian, Arab and Iranian books were also censored.

A total of 87 countries, 4 million books and 2,765 publishers are taking part in the fair, dedicated on January 24 by president Hosni Mubarak. The fair, featuring 421 lectures, will wind up on February 8.