A group of prominent Islamic scholars today appealed to Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release the six reformasi activists when their two-year detention under the Internal Security Act expires i­n June.

In a letter to Abdullah titled 'Progressive Islam' will not be born behind bars , the 40 scholars, including those from abroad, deplored the "deterioration" of political rights in Malaysia.

They said the agenda of progressive and moderate Islam cannot be advanced in a climate of repression and excessive state control.

Among those who signed the letter are President of the International Movement for a Just World Dr Chandra Muzaffar ( photo ), Sisters in Islam director Zainah Anwar and former malaysiakini columnist Dr Farish A Noor

While the foreigners include prominent religious scholar Prof John L Esposito of the United States' Georgetown University, president of the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa Dr Na'eem Jeenah, and Muhammad Ayub Munir of Pakistan's Islamia College.

Supreme irony

The scholars said although the ISA and other laws such as the Official Secrets Act were introduced by British colonial authorities to help them maintain control and dominance over Malaysian society, the use of such legislation led instead to the stigmatisation of colonial rule as o­ne that was "immoral" and "unjust".

"It is a supreme irony that in the case of many ex-colonial states, the post-colonial elite have held o­n to the worst, most brutal and inhumane tools of coercion and domination to perpetuate their own rule," they said.

The scholars added that repressive laws have no validity from an Islamic point of view as a state that defines its politics and political culture in Islamic terms should put in place universal and humanitarian values of the religion via the cultivation of a truly democratic civil society.

"Malaysia today is trying to present itself as the face of real Islam which is fundamentally moderate and progressive...With the Muslim world being demonised and stigmatised o­n a daily basis in the global media, there is a desperate need for a counter-example of a modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Muslim nation-state in order to counter negative stereotypes of Islam and Muslims."

Transparent justice

According to the scholars, in a Muslim state which truly embodies Islamic values, civil and political rights must be upheld.

"There is no place for laws such as the ISA which allow for the detention of political opponents, activists, writers, academics, students, unionists and others without trial.

"It is inimical for a country that is said to embrace progressive Islam to subject its citizens to cruel and inhumane treatment while in their custody," said the scholars, referring to the testimony by present and former ISA detainees of "horrific accounts of torture and humiliation" by security personnel.

In addition, the scholars said the notion of detention without trial is anathema to the Muslim understanding of justice which should be open, public and transparent.

"The history of the Muslim world has taught us that Muslim civilisation thrived and prospered the most in a climate of openness and freedom, where the flow of ideas and the development of different schools of thought was not o­nly guaranteed but also promoted by the state.

"Conversely, the decline of Muslim thought took place as soon as the doors of interpretation were closed," they added.

Moral step

The academicians said since Malaysia is keen to project and promote the agenda of progressive Islam, it should take the "necessary moral step" to release the six political detainees unconditionally and to repeal the ISA.

"The goodwill, admiration and respect that is shown to Malaysia is given not because of the existence of laws such as the ISA, but rather despite of it.

"It would be detrimental to the future well-being of Malaysian society if this goodwill and respect is squandered and sacrificed of political expediency," they stressed.

Of the six political detainees referred to by the scholars, five - Keadilan leaders Tian Chua, Saari Sungib, Lokman Nor Adam, Dr Badrulamin Adam and malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais - are presently held at the Kamunting detention camp.

Although their detention orders are due to expire o­n Sunday, it is uncertain if they would be released, pending the outcome of interviews by Home Ministry officials. The home minister has the authority to extend their detention.

Another detainee, Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor was transferred to the Kajang prison last year to serve a two-year jail term for breaching the Official Secrets Act by leaking confidential documents relating to a graft probe to the media.

The activists were arrested in April 2001 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government by militant means, a charge which they have denied.