A coalition of more than 37 Muslim non-governmental groups blasted the government for permitting activist-author Irshad Manji into the country to promote her book which they claim is full of "religiophobia and Islamophobia".

Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGO's (ACCIN), Malaysian Islamic NGO Consultative Council (MAPIM) and the Ulama Association of Malaysia (PUM), in a joint statement today, demanded an assurance from the government that Manji would not be allowed to enter the country in future.

Their demand was particularly targetted at the Home Ministry, the police, the Immigration Department, Islamic Development Department and the Federal Territories Islamic Department.

Manji was in the country last week to promote her book ‘Islam, Liberty and Love', which was also translated in Malay.

The event was hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCH) on Saturday. However, other book launches were cancelled amidst intense pressure from religious groups.

 Negative feedback

The author, who is known to openly supported lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) lifestyles, left for Canada yesterday.

Manji's previous work, ‘The Problem With Islam Today' had garnered negative feedback from Muslims worldwide, claiming that it promoted the same ideals as Salman Rushdie, the author of the novel 'The Satanic Verses'.

The NGOs also demanded an apology from KLSCH, ZI Publication and Emily Rees Associates for their insensitivity to the dangers of religiophobia and islamophobia.

"We would like to emphasise that no one should be denied the right to enter any country, provided they were willing to respect the law, religion and culture of the country.

"Manji is not an individual who is willing to respect our laws, therefore we request that such individuals like Manji are not authorised to enter this country in the future," they stressed.