Prophet Muhammad novel scrapped amid violence fears

London, Aug 10 : US publisher Random House has scrapped plans to release a novel about Prophet Muhammad's child bride A'isha, fearing it could "incite acts of violence."

The 'Jewel of Medina', the debut novel by journalist Sherry Jones, was due to hit shelves on 12 August.

Random House said it had been advised the book "might be offensive" to some Muslims, and "could incite acts of violence by a small, radical segment."

"We decided, after much deliberation, to postpone publication," BBC quoted it, as saying.

The decision was taken "for the safety of the author, employees of Random House, booksellers and anyone else who would be involved in distribution and sale of the novel," said the company's deputy publisher Thomas Perry in a statement.

The novel traces the life of A'isha, who is often referred to as Muhammad's favourite wife, from her engagement at the age of six, until the prophet's death.

Jones said that she was shocked to learn in May, that publication would be postponed indefinitely.

ANI