The writer due to whom Dubrovnik fears terrorism: He was tried for insulting Muslims

Michel Houellebeqo is one of the most popular, but also the most controversial contemporary European writers. Since 1994, when he broke through onto the French literary scene, he has published six successful novels, including "Platform", "The Possibility of an Island", "The Map and the Territory" and "The Elementary Particles" - which served as the basis for a banned play at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, reports the Patria News Agency.

We remind you that "The Elementary Particles" will not be performed in Dubrovnik due to the assessment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) that the performance of this play could result in a security offense. The MUP, which conducted the security check at the request of Prefect Nikola Dobroslavić, believes that "The Elementary Particles" could offend the feelings of Muslims. 

Tried in court

At the time of its publication, this novel did indeed cause a kind of controversy, but not for offending Muslims, but for its very graphic, almost pornographic descriptions of sex. Given that Houellebecq does not deal with Islam in "The Elementary Particles", but rather questions themes of love and loneliness, it is easy to conclude that the MUP's security assessment has no connection with the work itself, but with the author's biography. 

In fact, in 2001, after publishing the novel "Platform", Houellebecq was accused of Islamophobia. In this novel, Houellebecq calls Muslims, among other things, "clots in the veins of Europe", and introduces Muslim characters who mock their faith and its holy text, the Quran. 

Houellebecq did not shy away from criticism of Islam even during the promotion of the book, so in an interview he gave to the literary magazine Lider, he called Islam "the stupidest religion". Because of this, he was accused of inciting religious and ethnic hatred, and brought to court.

The lawsuit against Houellebecq was filed by several organizations, including the French branch of the League of Human Rights and the World Islamic League from Mecca. The Paris court acquitted Houellebecq of the charges, invoking his right to freedom of expression, and the writer left France after this incident and spent the next few years living in Ireland. 

On the cover of Charlie Hebdo on the day of the massacre

Houellebecq published his most recent novel "Submission" on January 7 this year, the day of the massacre at the editorial office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. In this book, Houellebecq imagines France in 2022 as a country ruled by a Muslim dictator, who governs in accordance with the provisions of Sharia law. It was precisely Houellebecq's latest book, titled "Predictions of the Wizard Houellebecq", that was published on the cover of Charlie Hebdo on the day of the massacre.

Affected by the news of the terrorist act in the Charlie Hebdo editorial office, Houellebecq announced that he was suspending the promotion of his new book and leaving Paris.

His agent confirmed to European media at the time that Houellebecq was retreating to an "unnamed rural sanctuary". Although it was not particularly emphasized at the time, it is clear that Houellebecq had to move from the capital to a quieter location due to fears that his safety was also threatened, writes Index.