Novelist and author Youssef Zidan was referred to investigation on Tuesday for contempt of religion. Zidan is a writer known for reflecting controversial opinions on religious matters through his books. Azazil, the novel which earned Zidan the Arab Booker Prize, challenged Christian beliefs when weighed against philosophy and logic. The novelist was released after an investigation, reported state-owned Al-Ahram. Zidan requested a respite to respond to the notes issued in the Islamic Research Complex's report regarding his case. Eleven Coptic rights organisations had filed a report to the prosecutor general in 2010 accusing Zidan of contempt of the Christian religion, reported Al-Ahram. The organisations stated Zidan taunts the doctrines of the trinity, unification and redemption adopted by Christians. The organisations claimed in their report that Zidan is accustomed to attacking Christianity and the Christian dogma, reported Al-Ahram. They added that his writings threaten national unity and undermine social peace. Contempt of religion cases have flooded Egypt for almost a year. Most reports were filed regarding the contempt of Islam. In December, outspoken blogger Alber Saber was sentenced to three years in jail for “contempt of the Muslim and Christian religions" after prosecutors accused him of starting Facebook pages that offend both God and the Muslim and Christian religions. Additional reporting by Ahmed Aboul Enein Eleven Coptic rights groups accuse Youssef Zidan of offending Christianity By Rana Muhammad Taha Novelist and author Youssef Zidan was referred to investigation on Tuesday for contempt of religion. Zidan is a writer known for reflecting controversial opinions on religious matters through his books. Azazil, the novel which earned Zidan the Arab Booker Prize, challenged Christian beliefs when weighed against philosophy and logic. The novelist was released after an investigation, reported state-owned Al-Ahram. Zidan requested a respite to respond to the notes issued in the Islamic Research Complex's report regarding his case. Eleven Coptic rights organisations had filed a report to the prosecutor general in 2010 accusing Zidan of contempt of the Christian religion, reported Al-Ahram. The organisations stated Zidan taunts the doctrines of the trinity, unification and redemption adopted by Christians. The organisations claimed in their report that Zidan is accustomed to attacking Christianity and the Christian dogma, reported Al-Ahram. They added that his writings threaten national unity and undermine social peace. Contempt of religion cases have flooded Egypt for almost a year. Most reports were filed regarding the contempt of Islam. In December, outspoken blogger Alber Saber was sentenced to three years in jail for “contempt of the Muslim and Christian religions" after prosecutors accused him of starting Facebook pages that offend both God and the Muslim and Christian religions. Additional reporting by Ahmed Aboul Enein END Keywords: Youssef Zidan, contempt of religion, offending Christianity, offending Islam, Alber Saber, DNE, Daily News Egypt, Egypt, news Related links: http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/12/17/blogger-charged-with-blasphemy-released-on-bail/
