Poet accused of insulting Koran

Jordanian police arrested a writer in Amman on Tuesday for incorporating verses of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, into his love poetry, a judicial official said.

The poet, Islam Samhan, published his collection of poems, “Grace Like a Shadow,” without the approval of the Jordanian government, and authorities say it insults the holy book, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Samhan was charged with harming the Islamic faith and violating the press and publication law for combining the sacred words of the Koran with sexual themes. If convicted, the poet could face up to three years in jail.