Since the January 2015 attacks, books discussing Islam are in high demand. An increase in sales can be seen both on Amazon and in local bookstores.
Sales of the Quran have increased throughout France. On Amazon, Malek Chebel’s translation of the Quran claims the sixth most-sold book in the “Religion” category. At a bookstore Sauramps in Montpellier, more than 150 Qurans have been sold since the Charle Hebdo attacks. Normally, the store sells 10 to 15 each month. La Procure in Paris has noted an increase of 6 or 7 Qurans sold each week, instead of the usual 2 each week.
Introductory books about Islam are the most popular among readers, notably those by Tariq Ramadan as well as the recently published Plaidoyer pour la fraternité by Abdennour Bidar. The Procure notes that sales of Petite introduction à l’islam, written by Pierre Claverie who was killed in 1996 in Algeria, have tripled.
Since January 7 bookstores have also seen an increase in book sales about the illustrators at Charlie Hebdo as well as those about the Islamic State. “It’s a similar phenomenon to that of September 11. The majority of sales are by individuals who are taking the initiative to learn about the religion themselves,” said an employee at Sauramps. For three weeks, current events have led to an increase in book sales discussing jihadism, as for example, journalist Anna Erelle’s experience In the shoes of a jihadist.
The Petit traité de l’intolerance by Charb, as well as La BD est Charlie are number 66 and 43 in the Top 100 sellers on Amazon. More generally, Edwy Plenel’s book Pour les musulmans and Qu’Allah bénisse la France by Abdel Malik have also seen their sales increase since January 7, 2015.