Jordan arrests poet for insulting Islam

Amman: Police have arrested a local writer for incorporating verses from the Quran into his poem, the Jordanian prosecution said on Tuesday.

A judicial official said that poet Islam Samhan published his collection of poems, Grace like a Shadow, which allegedly insults the Muslim holy book, without the approval of the Jordanian government.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Samhan was charged on Tuesday with harming the Islamic faith and violating the press and publication law for combining the sacred words of the Quran with sexual themes.

If convicted the poet could face up to three years in jail.