'I despise Islamism' says award winning author Ian McEwan in astonishing outburst
By Liz Hazelton
Last updated at 6:11 PM on 22nd June 2008
Private man: But Ian McEwan's comments in a rare interview has sparked controversy
He is known for his polished prose, critically acclaimed novels -and for keeping a decidedly low profile.
But today the Booker-winning novelist Ian McEwan found himself at the centre of an uncharacteristic row.
During an interview with an Italian newspaper, the author launched a stinging attack on Islamism, saying he despised it and that it wanted 'to create a society that I detest.'
The fiercely private Mr McEwan, whose books include On Chesil Beach and Atonement which was recently made into a film starring Keira Knightley, was prompted to make the comments in defence of his friend Martin Amis.
'A dear friend had been called a racist,' he said.
'As soon as a writer expresses an opinion against Islamism, immediately someone on the left leaps to his feet and claims that because the majority of Muslims are dark-skinned, he who criticises it is racist.
"This is logically absurd and morally unacceptable. Martin is not a racist.
'And I myself despise Islamism, because it wants to create a society that I detest, based on religious belief, on a text, on lack of freedom for women, intolerance towards homosexuality and so on – we know it well.
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