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L.A. woman finds hate message in copy of Koran
Thu May 19, 2005 02:48 AM ET
LOS
ANGELES (Reuters) - A Muslim group on Wednesday demanded a public apology
from online bookseller Amazon.com for its part in delivering a used copy
of the Koran with the words "Death to all Muslims" scrawled across the
inside cover.
Los Angeles graduate student Azza Basarudin, who ordered a used copy of
the holy book through Amazon.com from a third -party, said that when she
discovered the message "I actually dropped the book."
"I was taken back to after Sept. 11 and my fear of even leaving my
apartment," Basarudin told a news conference.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) said Basarudin brought the
matter to them about two weeks ago. The Council contacted Amazon.com who
have apologized to Basarudin, refunded her money, sent out a new copy of
the Koran and issued her a gift certificate.
Amazon said it had also suspended Pennsylvania-based Bellwether Books,
which packaged and mailed the Koran in question, from selling the Koran
and had asked for an internal investigation.
But the MPAC said it wanted Amazon to issue a public apology and
condemnation and establish a zero-tolerance policy toward sellers and
employees.
"It is important for business leaders to come out with a zero tolerance
policy. Amazon has a responsibility to make a public apology and
condemnation," said spokeswoman Edina Lekovic.
Lekovic said the desecrated Koran was part of a "cult of hate that may
exist and may be on the rise."
On Monday, Newsweek magazine retracted a report that U.S. interrogators
at Guantanamo Bay had flushed at least one copy of the Koran down a toilet
to try to make detainees talk.
The report triggered protests across the Muslim world in which 16
people died.
� Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
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