Court grants leave for IRF to challenge book ban

Summary

• The High Court grants leave for a judicial review regarding a book ban imposed on think tank Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF).

• Case management is scheduled for July 24.

• IRF criticises the Madani government for the ban and asks what it means to be a civilised nation if freedom of speech is not allowed.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today granted the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) leave to apply for a judicial review, challenging the government’s ban on its book on the Malay translation of “The Message of the Qur’an” by Muhammad Asad.

The respondents in the case are the federal government, the home minister, and the Al-Quran Printing Control and Licensing Board.

The application specifically concerns a decision made on Feb 21, regarding the proofreading of the final text of “Risalah Al-Quran” (BM translation of “The Message Of The Qur’an”).

The application seeks to quash the ban and obtain a declaration affirming IRF’s right to publish, sell, and distribute the translated text, subject only to the conditions outlined in the second and third respondents’ approval letter dated Nov 2, 2023.

According to the letter, the translated text could only be used for academic purposes, while IRF was asked to make corrections to the BM version of the text.

The matter was heard today before Judge Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh. Representing IRF were lawyers Surendra Ananth and Malik Imtiaz.

Surendra said the Attorney-General’s Chambers, represented by Faisal Noor, had no objections to the leave application.

“The judge granted leave and fixed a case management on July 24,” he confirmed.

Living up to the ‘Madani’ name

IRF director Ahmad Farouk Musa expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and emphasised the importance of freedom of expression and the diversity of ideas in a civilised society.

“To me, the main issue that has to be raised is whether there is any change in the new Madani government, whose leader frequently quotes from great philosophers of the world, including Aristotle and Shakespeare, hence that of Voltaire could not have escaped him,” Farouk told Malaysiakini.

Quoting Voltaire, he said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

“Civilisation will only prosper with diverse ideas being discussed and debated, not stifled.

“What’s the point of calling a government Madani, which literally means civil or civilised, when we suppressed the essence of a civilised society, that is, the diversity of ideas and interpretations?” Farouk asked.

Islamic group slams religious authorities over proposed book ban