Books About “Daesh”, Sharon, Shiites And Beating Of Women, Barred From Entering Algeria

National Customs authorities put on the blacklist 122 religious, political and security–related books banned from entering Algeria and which were due to be displayed at the Algiers International Book Fair, due to kick off on the 25th of this month.

These books were barred from entry as their owners didn’t obtain the entry permit from the relevant body authorized to monitor the incoming publications.

Books from various countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, France, Italy, Denmark, America, England and Syria will arrive at the end of this week, represented by 230 publishing houses, while the monitoring-book body precluded the entry of 122 titles with the Algerian authorities concerned informing some publishing houses that they aren’t allowed to display their contentious books at the upcoming Algiers International Book Fair.

Books that do not have the preliminary approval of the authorized authority are deposited by the Customs Department in a warehouse belonging to the customs agent until a license is obtained or refused.

On the other hand, sources told “Echorouk” that pursuant to the instructions of the General Directorate of National Customs, a secret team consisting of a group leader and customs officers will be set up to monitor forbidden books that cannot enter into Algeria  in one way or another during the forthcoming book fair.

As for the titles of books that were banned at the International Book Fair, the same sources said  the latter revolve around women, preaching and Israel, like “postmodern scenarios in Syria,” a book that threatens intellectual security with a set of nefarious ideas that often stem from extremist groups. 

Likewise, the banned book about “Ariel Sharon, which refers to so-called peace projects to resolve the conflict between the Arab states and Israel,” as well as a controversial book promoting how to beat up women issued by a publishing house in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in addition to banning all Koran books coming from Syria, Iraq, unless the relevant publishing houses secured beforehand a required license to be issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

As for the organization, all publishers participating in the Algiers International Book Fair are required to open an INR bank account to convert their sales’ revenues into Algerian Dinars. 

All displayed books are to be sold within the framework of the Algiers International Book Fair, under the quota allocated by the Algerian government that cannot be sold afterwards.

The incoming books are directed to the place of supply when they arrive at the airport, port, dry port and border crossing offices. 

The books are licensed under the temporary permit system, which is subject to the customs declaration for a period of one month starting from the opening day of the Fair, the same sources indicated.