London, Sept 30 : American author Sherry Jones’ book, “The Jewel of Medina”, has been termed "softcore pornography" by an American academic.

The Telegraph quoted Denise Spellberg, an associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, as saying that Jones’ book had converted" sacred history" into "softcore pornography."

“The novel constituted a "declaration of war" and "a national security issue," she added.

Belgrade - Several Serbian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) protested on Tuesday against the withdrawal from sale of the controversial book, Jewel of Medina, written by American author Sherry Jones.

Publisher Beobook last week pulled the book from the shelves following protests by the Islamic community and Muslim party in Serbia.

"Islamic community in Serbia cannot order what one can read," a statement signed by eight NGOs said.