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Did Islamist extremists win a battle by causing the cancellation of a book signing in Belgium?

A book is currently controversial. Signed by Laurence D’Hondt and Jean-Pierre Martin, “Allah has nothing to do in my class” does not please everyone. The two authors even had to cancel a signing session.

Since its release, “Allah has nothing to do in my class”, signed by Laurence D’Hondt and Jean-Pierre Martin, has made a lot of noise. This book gives voice to teachers confronted with the influence of Islamist ideology among certain students. If its objective is to be a plea for freedom of conscience, the work does not leave one indifferent and provokes numerous reactions.

Last Saturday, a planned meeting between the authors and their readers at the FNAC in Woluwe was canceled at the last minute. The reason? Repeated threats addressed to FNAC staff by groups claiming that it was forbidden to pronounce the name of Allah and demanding the immediate removal of the book from the shelves.

A book kept in bookstores

Despite the incident, Racines Editions, which publishes the work, reassures: no bookseller has removed the book from its shelves. “Even FNAC continues to sell it“, they specify. In Brussels, the Filigranes bookstore confirms that a signing session scheduled for Wednesday will be held as planned, with no intention of cancellation.

Booksellers really play the game“, explains the publisher, although two or three establishments refused to add the book to their catalog, a decision which he describes as “minority“The objective now is to ease the tense climate surrounding this publication, particularly as the end-of-year holidays approach.”We hope that there will be no incidents that could frighten readers“, he adds, emphasizing the importance of preserving access to bookstores.

The authors plead for freedom of conscience

On social networks, the authors of the book expressed their sadness at the cancellation of the meeting in Woluwe, while reaffirming the intentions of their work. “Our book is kind to Allah and other gods“, they wrote, emphasizing its inclusive nature and its call for tolerance.

An echo beyond borders

The controversy does not stop at Belgium. The French media are also starting to take an interest in “Allah has nothing to do in my class”. The authors were invited to several broadcasts in to present their book and discuss this sensitive issue.

There remains an unanswered question: have the extremists who try to intimidate won a battle by forcing the cancellation of a meeting? The debate is far from over.

Allah has nothing to do in my class controversy book Islamism

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