As noted here back in 2005, the Saudi government’s desire to promote conservative Islam through the global distribution of books has not worked to its favor. Too often, the books—printed and distributed at government expense, if not always commissioned by the government—have been found to promote not just conservative Islam, but radically intolerant Islam. This has led to the denunciation of the books, and the Saudi government, in many countries and through many media outlets.

This article from Saudi Gazette suggests that the government is now acting on an awareness of the problem. By bringing in group of international Muslim scholars to work on a project to develop new books, it can change the way the world sees both the Saudi government and Islam. If nothing else, it will help both to avoid the bashing they receive from Islamophobic and Anti-Saudi audiences.

Crown Prince Backs Islamic Books Project

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, has donated a grand sum of SR5.6 million for the “International books on Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” project.

“The project aims to help better the understanding of our Western friends to sensitive religious topics, like the wearing of the hijab, and to show them that the Islamic religion is concerned primarily with peace,” stated Dr. Badr Kureyem, supervisor general of the project, at a press conference on Monday.

Since the September 9/11 attacks, the religion of Islam has been regarded by the Western World with a mix of fear and suspicion.

…”We have a team of 73 researchers working on the project, coming from all over the world. We will definitely be able to make a big impact on Western public opinion”, affirmed Dr. Mohammed Al-Bishr.