The Koran and the Life of the Prophet Muhammad, by Kåre Bluitgen, illustrated with ten pictures of Muhammad, has been reprinted twice since it was published two weeks ago in Denmark.

Mr Bluitgen, who has written 31 books, said: “This is absolutely the fastest-selling ever.” When he was writing the book Mr Bluitgen complained that illustrators would only work for him anonymously out of fear of Islamic extremists.

The newspaper Jyllands-Posten challenged that selfcensorship by publishing 12 cartoons of Muhammad from named artists, one showing the prophet wearing a turban in the shape of a bomb. That led to the present uproar across the Islamic world.

Mr Bluitgen’s publishers, Host and Sons, originally printed only 2,000 copies. But they have sold 6,000 copies since it was published on January 24. The 272-page volume, which costs 250 kroner (£23), has also attracted the attention of foreign publishers.

Mr Bluitgen, who lives in an area of Copenhagen that has a large Muslim population, and whose former wife taught in a Muslim school, thought that there was a need to explain Islam to Danish children.

He said that he had no idea that it would result in the biggest crisis between the West and Islam since the affair over Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses two decades ago.

“It’s bizarre. I write a book to promote understanding between cultures and now I see Danish embassies burning in the Middle East,” he said. “All I can do is sit on the sidelines and watch.”

He supports Jylland-Posten’s publication of the cartoons. “We have a history in Denmark of satire of religion and politicians. I support it. If you remove freedom of speech, you lose democracy,” he said.

He has received one death threat but has not taken any safety precautions.

Mr Bluitgen insists that the cartoons in his book are respectful. “They are ordinary children’s illustrations. There are a lot of Muslims who don’t mind Muhammad being depicted,” he said.

Nanna Gyldenkaerne, the publisher, said: “There are a lot of pictures of Muhammad in the Islamic world as well, for instance in Turkey and Iran. I really try to separate the book from the conflict.” Protests continued yesterday in West Africa and across the Middle East and Asia, with the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Tehran coming under attack. Four more deaths in Afghanistan raised the toll to ten.

More newspapers published the cartoons, including in Croatia and Yemen, bringing to nearly 30 the number of countries where they have appeared.

The EU told 19 Muslim countries that they had a duty to protect embassies, and lambasted Iran over its suspending trade with Denmark.

President Bush entered the row for the first time, phoning Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Danish Prime Minister, to offer his support.

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