A German publisher, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed deep regret over Iran's absence at the fair, saying Iran was 'sorely missed' at the Frankfurt book event.
'When you walk through Hall 4 where Iran was supposed to showcase its literary works, you can literally feel the emptiness. A country like a Iran with its very rich Islamic and Iranian culture should be here,' said the publisher who is familiar with the Iranian publication scene.
'I can hardly fathom the fact that Iran is not here this year. Having said that I can also understand Iran's viewpoint as well, since Rushdie's book 'Satanic Verses' was deemed insulting to not only Iranian Muslims but Muslims around the world, he added.
The German publisher lashed out at organizers for inviting Rushdie to the book fair under the pretext of defending freedom of expression, saying that was a 'clear provocation.'
'There are literally thousands of writers and authors around the world defending freedom of expression. Why would you invite someone like Rushdie who has hurt the religious feelings of millions of Muslims?
Was it really necessary to invite such a highly controversial person?,' he asked.
The German publisher's statements come in the wake of remarks by the head of the Frankfurt Book Fair Juergen Boos who said Rushdie's orchestrated attendance at the opening press briefing on Tuesday was in fact geared to be a 'provocation.'
Meanwhile, an Italian literary agent, Fabrizio Mennitti expressed his deep sadness at Iran's absence at the book fair in the southern German city.
Mennitti accused organizers of the book exhibition of trying to hype their event by inviting Rushdie to the opening news conference.
'I really don't have any explanation as to why someone would invite a highly controversial person like Rushdie to the book fair -- knowing Iran and many other Islamic countries would have problems with his presence -- other than wanting to promote your event,' Mennitti said.
'Perhaps the organizers thought negative publicity would be good for them. However, that wasn't necessarily the case because Iran's absence at the book exhibition has hurt those foreign publishing firms that wanted to conduct business deals with the Iranian side,' he added.
Mennitti's statements were echoed by a female German student who vented her frustration over Iran's absence at the book event.
'I am not a trade visitor but just a regular visitor who is very much interested in Middle Eastern, notably Persian, literature,' said Sabine Krause who traveled more than 200 kilometers to tour the Frankfurt book fair.
'I am not a very political person and I don't understand global politics very much. All I know is that I really wanted to visit the Iranian hall and I spent a lot of money -- which I don't have-- to be here and now I see nothing but a giant empty hall,' Krause added.
She stressed although she generally supports freedom of expression, this did not mean one should hurt the religious feelings of other people.
'I have several close Muslim and Jewish friends who are very dear to me, and I would never want to hurt their religious sentiments. Just the opposite, I am always showing my utmost respect for their religion,' Krause said.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking source within the organizing team of the Frankfurt book fair told IRNA she was also deeply disappointed over Iran's absence because of Rushdie's presence.
'We really tried to get Iran to come to the fair but talks collapsed at the last moment. Iran has always been at the exhibition and it is now sorely missed at the event. Perhaps we can learn from this unfortunate episode and move on and hopefully we can greet Iran at next year's book fair.
That's certainly at least our intention,' the source said.
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