Saudi Gazette runs a report from the Saudi Press Agency on a project in the UK to publish books for the international market on Islam and Saudi Arabia. The intent is to provide ‘correct’ information.

I wonder if the project will act to remove books that promote extremist views of Islam from mosques and study centers that had been previously provided by Saudis?

I think it’s fine that the Saudi government is acting to limit extremism, but it needs to do more than just publishing new titles. Too many books promoting intolerant views of Islam have been distributed by the Saudi government in the past to simply ignore the problems they’ve caused. I do not doubt the good intentions nor the need behind this project, but I don’t think it goes far enough if it is limited to only providing new titles. Corrective action is needed as well.

Islamic books project launched in London

LONDON – The international books on Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia project was launched here on Thursday. The project, prepared by 77 researchers, thinkers and politicians from in and outside the Kingdom, aims at projecting Islam and Saudi society in the proper manner as well as deepening dialogue and understanding between the Kingdom and other societies and civilizations.

The function was attended by Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Subeyel, Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs in the Ministry of Culture and Information, and other officials, academicians and intellectuals.

The launching ceremony was organized by the clubs of the Saudi students in Britain and Northern Ireland with the support of Ghaina Establishment for Studies and Information, the publisher of the books.

The books published in Arabic, English and French constitute a cultural message for enhancing the values of dialogue and correction of wrong concepts about Islam and the Kingdom. Moreover they shed light on the biography of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him.)
…