Aafaq Bookstore, a new Arabic bookshop located on Edgware Road in central London, has been accused of antisemitism for displaying copies of Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf." The book, whose title translates to "My Struggle," was featured on a prominent display table, drawing criticism from local officials and shoppers.
Conservative councilor Elliot Keck, representing the Hyde Park ward where the store is located, expressed his dismay. "It makes me sick to my stomach to find copies of Mein Kampf being proudly displayed in a new bookshop in my ward," Keck stated, according to the Daily Mail. He added, "Let's be clear - these are not being sold as academic reference pieces. They are being displayed on one of the main display tables."
"Mein Kampf," originally published in 1925, is known for its anti-Semitic content and promotion of the idea of Aryan supremacy. While its sale is legal in the UK, some online platforms have removed it due to concerns it could incite racism.
A shopper who visited the store described seeing "hate propaganda" clearly displayed. "The shop itself has a nice vibe and a good English selection, but seeing an Arabic translation of Mein Kampf right on the main browsing table completely ruined the visit for me," the shopper commented online. "Stocking historical texts on back shelves is one thing, but putting hate propaganda front and centre on a featured display table is really off-putting."
When approached by reporters, a shop assistant defended the store's decision to stock the book, noting that it was no longer available on the display table due to the criticism. "We are a new business. To face this kind of hate for stocking a book that is sold in other shops isn't fair," the assistant said. "Why are we facing this scrutiny, is it because we are an Arabic bookstore?"
The assistant suggested that reading "Mein Kampf" can educate people about the dangers of such ideologies rather than promote them. The store also pointed out that other booksellers, such as Waterstones, also stock the title.
A spokesperson for Waterstones confirmed that "Mein Kampf" is among the titles they can supply, though it is not widely stocked in their physical shops and can be ordered online. "As a bookseller, we believe customers should be able to make their own decision about which books they choose to read," the spokesperson said.
Copies of "Mein Kampf" were not visibly displayed on the Oxford Street branch of Waterstones during a recent check, but were available to order via its website in multiple languages.
Aafaq Bookstore features hundreds of titles on a wide range of subjects at its new shop on Edgware Road.
