This ‘investigation’ didn’t take long, as it’s been less than a week since author and activist Irshad Manji was all but chased out of Malaysia after her aborted attempt to promote her new book here in Malaysia. Normally the Malaysian government conducts its business at a much more leisurely pace. Then again, the results of the supposed investigation into her new book ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’ were a foregone conclusion. Following up this earlier story, “Home Ministry bans Irshad Manji’s new book”, The Star, 24 May 2012:
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has banned Irshad Manji’s book titled Allah, Liberty and Love as it contravenes teachings of the Al-Quran [sic] and Hadith.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman said the ministry had decided to ban the book under Section 7 (Subsection 1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Irshad’s
book, which was translated into the Malay language, had been forwarded
to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to be studied.
“This
is because the book, which is believed to have elements that can
deviate Muslims from their faith and which insulted Islam, has received
numerous complaints,” he said in a statement here Thursday.
“The
ministry received a report from Jakim, and based on its findings, the
contents have elements that can confuse the public and contain words
that insult Islam,” he said.
Irshad is a liberal Muslim activist who openly supports Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) lifestyles.
On July 30, 2009, her previous book, entitled The Trouble With Islam Today, was also banned in Malaysia. – Bernama
Irshad’s sexuality has been repeatedly cited by Malaysian Muslim officials as an ample reason for her views and her work in general to be so objectionable. So why are all the ‘Gay Rights’ organizations not openly defending Manji? A large number of groups seem to be speaking out in favor of ‘Gay Marriage’ in the US and elsewhere right now, but why don’t these same voices step up for Manji, who is a professed Lesbian? Are human rights groups going to even bother condemning this latest act of Official Muslim censorship in even a perfunctory manner? I am not going to hold my breath.
Manji claims to be a reform-minded Muslim. That may be true, or not. But if any individual Muslim or Muslim organization, prominent or otherwise, has publicly stepped forward to defend Irshad Manji, then this writer hasn’t heard about it.