I was reading a Yahoo news piece by Alain Navarro about the recent Cairo book fair. I had smile on my lips as I read that the book fair was succeeding in representing books that might influence thinking away from Islamic Fundamentalism, then I had a wtf moment.
The fair also has its darker sides, with anti-Christian polemics advocating conversion to Islam as the only solution to a flawed religion and of course plenty of editions of Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" for sale.
"It makes up a big part of our success, especially among the 18 to 25 crowd," said Mahmud Abdallah of the Syrian-Egyptian Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi publishing house.
"Allowing the sale of books like 'Mein Kampf' is a total scandal," said Mohammed Arkoun, professor emeritus of Islamic history at the Sorbonne, for whom the Arab cultural production, at least as seen through the lens of the Cairo Book Fair, "reflects above all, a certain emptiness."
Source: Massive Cairo book fair sets religious tone - Yahoo! News
Why is Mein Kampf popular in Egypt? I own a copy. I've read it. It gives me a chill to even think about it. Of course, I read it with an understanding of history and that Hitler was evil. I want to believe this is why Mein Kampf is sold in Egypt, but my BS detector warns me off.
(Posted while listing to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Hell of a Hat - off Question the Answers.)
1 comment:
Mein Kampf is #6 on the top bestsellers in Palestine, if memory serves.
Hitler met w/& collaborated w/the Mufti of Jerusalem (in the 30's), & set a meme in action that still has echoes today.
Far too many muslims are sympatico w/these views.
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