Jordanian Poet Jailed for Religious Allusions

A young Jordanian poet was arrested yesterday “for combining the sacred words of the Koran with sexual themes.” The LA Times reports that 27-year-old Islam Samhan could get a three-year sentence for his literary allusions.

According to The National Newspaper, Samhan recently published a collection of poetry entitled In a Slim Shadow, earning the writer death threats and calls to ban his work. His poems reference characters and rhythms of the sacred Koran, a dangerous act in Jordan.

“The Quran is in Arabic and I am influenced by my language and its rich terminology. Where I grew up, the Quran was sung and its music is still playing in my ears. I have read the Quran, and the Arabic language is that of the Quran,” the poet told a journalist. The post also reminded writers that the PEN American Center has mounted 20 campaigns around the world to free writers in similar situations.

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