Summary

  • Academic Ahmet T Kuru slams the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs and the Islamic Development Department for proposing a ban against two books he authored.

  • Kuru says the ban if enforced by the Home Ministry, would stifle critical thinking and intellectual discourse.

Academic Ahmet T Kuru has slammed the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI)’s Muzakarah Committee and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) for recommending a ban against two of his books.

In a Facebook post today, Kuru claimed that the ban only serves to prove his argument that “the ulama-state alliance is anti-intellectual and stifles critical thinking”.

“It is essential to allow the contestation of diverse ideas. Banning such debates risks fostering authoritarianism and stifling intellectual development, as emphasised in my books,” he added.

He also questioned whether the Home Ministry would comply with the Muzakarah Committee’s application for a prohibition order.

“(The Home Ministry) shouldn’t (allow the ban). Instead, they should uphold academic freedom, which would benefit both intellectual progress and Malaysia’s global reputation,” Kuru said.

Prohibition order

Earlier today, it was reported that the committee agreed to a prohibition order to be issued by the Home Ministry against 12 books deemed harmful to Muslims in the nation.

Two of Kuru’s works - “Perikatan Ulama Negara Punca Autoritarianisme dan Kemunduran Dunia Muslim (2022)” and “Islam, Autoritarianisme dan Kemunduran Bangsa (2024)” - were targeted by the committee.

Committee chairperson Nooh Gadot said in a statement today that all 12 books could confuse Muslims here as they contain teachings and ideologies that are contrary to the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (AI-Asya’irah AI- Maturidiyyah) as well as syariah laws and morals.

Nooh also reminded all Muslims that it is prohibited to own, print, sell, as well as share any parts of the content of the books.

Commenting on the matter, Kuru denied the committee’s claims, saying: “Their accusations are completely false. My books do not contradict Sunni Islam - they are academic works in the field of social sciences, not theology.”

Other works banned by MKI’s fatwa are “The Goal of The Wise” by Abdullah Hashem Aba al-Sadiq (2022), “Memahami dan Menyingkapi Tradisi Tuhan – Kebangkitan yang Dibenci tapi Dirindui” by Ahmad Mesiyyakh (2022) and “Manusia Sebelum Adam” by Luqmanul Hakim Abdul Razak (2023).

Other titles include “Golongan Muslim Pertama, Sejarah dan Memori” by Asma Afsaruddin (2018), “Duhai Hati – Menarilah Bersamaku” by Ismail Ariffin @ Lepat (2023) and “Penemuan Terbaru Akidah Bersanad Imam AI-Shafi’I” by Sadr al-Din Abu al-Wafa’ Sulayman bin Yusuf al-Tasufi (2024).

The authors and year of publication for three books - “Suhuf Abraham”, “Suka Duka Perjalanan Dhul Qarnain” and “Jalan Kebenaran Universal” - were not identified.

Razman: Govt must ban 'Becoming Hannah' from being sold to Muslims

Razman: Govt must ban 'Becoming Hannah' from being sold to Muslims

Police: Cops outside Gerakbudaya events just 'routine activity'

Police: Cops outside Gerakbudaya events just 'routine activity'

Censors don't share my sense of humour - banned book's publisher

Censors don't share my sense of humour - banned book's publisher

Govt respects ruling on lifting Hew's book ban: Fahmi

Govt respects ruling on lifting Hew's book ban: Fahmi

Comic author gets leave to challenge ‘When I Was A Kid 3’ ban

Comic author gets leave to challenge ‘When I Was A Kid 3’ ban

'Gay is OK!' publisher, writer seek apex court appeal over book ban

'Gay is OK!' publisher, writer seek apex court appeal over book ban