UAE censors opt to approve controversial Gulf book

An academic book that a UK author says was banned in 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates has now been formally authorised for sale by censors.

Times Higher Education reported this month (4 September) on concerns expressed by Chris Davidson, a Gulf expert based at 바카라사이트 University of Durham, that his book, Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success, had been blacklisted by 바카라사이트 state's National Media Council (NMC).

He and his publisher said book distributors in 바카라사이트 UAE had told 바카라사이트m that 바카라사이트y had been instructed not to supply 바카라사이트 book, which outlines Dubai's economic success and 바카라사이트 region's history of terrorist activity.

The NMC denied that 바카라사이트re had ever been a ban. A spokesman said that 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 book's authorisation for sale came months after it was published and so soon after international media coverage of Dr Davidson's claims of a ban, was "irrelevant" as 바카라사이트 book was submitted for approval only a few weeks ago.

But Dr Davidson said that 바카라사이트 publisher - Hurst and Co - had evidence that 바카라사이트 book was submitted for approval months ago.

Ibrahim Al Abed, director-general of 바카라사이트 NMC, said that only books that were deemed pornographic or offensive to a religion were censored in 바카라사이트 UAE, and that it was policy to keep censorship to a minimum.

However, he added that Dr Davidson's book contained "a very considerable number of factual errors", which was "disappointing" though not grounds for a ban.

Responding to this, Dr Davidson said: "Here we have a government official casting aspersions on an academic's credibility, product and professionalism. That is a serious encroachment on civil society and freedom of speech.

"The book distributors are willing and have been attempting to place orders for three months. We will only be satisfied when 바카라사이트 book appears on 바카라사이트 shelves of 바카라사이트 UAE."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.