<p>HarperCollins India has acquired publishing rights of "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth", a controversial biography of Jesus Christ by Muslim author Reza Aslan.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"'Zealot' is history, biography, cultural politics and just sheer beautiful prose, all coming together to make a truly strong narrative that is bound to resonate with readers in the subcontinent. We are thrilled to bring it to India," said a statement from the publication house Saturday.<br /><br />The book will be available in stores by the last week of September.<br /><br />The Iran-born scholar was questioned why he wrote a book on the founder of Christianity despite the fact that he is a Muslim.<br /><br />His interview on a TV channel had sparked a wide public debate in the US about Islamophobia.<br /><br />"Zealot" challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus. It portrays him as a revolutionary Jewish nationalist who sought to end Roman rule in Palestine on behalf of the poor and marginalised, and not as a messiah who preached peace and finding his kingdom in heaven.<br />This historical examination, which clashes with Christian beliefs, led to the outrage.</p>
<p>HarperCollins India has acquired publishing rights of "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth", a controversial biography of Jesus Christ by Muslim author Reza Aslan.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"'Zealot' is history, biography, cultural politics and just sheer beautiful prose, all coming together to make a truly strong narrative that is bound to resonate with readers in the subcontinent. We are thrilled to bring it to India," said a statement from the publication house Saturday.<br /><br />The book will be available in stores by the last week of September.<br /><br />The Iran-born scholar was questioned why he wrote a book on the founder of Christianity despite the fact that he is a Muslim.<br /><br />His interview on a TV channel had sparked a wide public debate in the US about Islamophobia.<br /><br />"Zealot" challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus. It portrays him as a revolutionary Jewish nationalist who sought to end Roman rule in Palestine on behalf of the poor and marginalised, and not as a messiah who preached peace and finding his kingdom in heaven.<br />This historical examination, which clashes with Christian beliefs, led to the outrage.</p>