Religious Authorities in Malaysia Recommend Ban on Ahmet T Kuru’s Books, Sparking Concerns of Authoritarianism
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia: The recent recommendation by religious officials to ban two books by US-based scholar Ahmet T Kuru has been met with criticism from publisher Lestari Hikmah, who claims that the move only reinforces the point about authoritarianism made in one of the books.
A Critical Examination of Authoritarianism
The book in question, "The Ulama-State Alliance: A Cause of Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment in the Muslim World" (2022) and "Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment" (2024), is a critical examination of religious administrative bodies that wield their institutional authority to censor and suppress views that fall outside the frameworks they have defined. Lestari Hikmah, the publisher, argues that such rigid approaches have contributed to a form of authoritarianism that undermines individual rights and the diversity of perspectives within the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Lack of Evidence and Unfair Process
Lestari Hikmah has criticized the council’s justifications for the ban as being generic and lacking any specific evidence from the text itself to substantiate the claim that it is "contrary to the aqidah of Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah, Islamic law, or that it misleads the Muslim public." The publisher maintains that no such content exists in the publication.
Authoritarian Impulse and Violation of Freedom of Expression
The publisher has also argued that the action contravenes Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression. Lestari Hikmah claims that the recommendation for a blanket ban on the books reflects an authoritarian impulse and that key stakeholders, including the publisher, translator, and Ahmet himself, were not invited for dialogue or allowed to respond to the allegations before the recommendation was made.
Conclusion
The recent recommendation by religious authorities in Malaysia to ban two books by US-based scholar Ahmet T Kuru has sparked concerns about authoritarianism and the suppression of free speech. As Lestari Hikmah has argued, the move only reinforces the point about authoritarianism made in one of the books. The publisher’s concerns about the lack of evidence and unfair process suggest that the recommendation may be motivated by a desire to suppress diverse perspectives and stifle critical thinking.
FAQs
- What are the books that have been recommended for a ban?
The books in question are "The Ulama-State Alliance: A Cause of Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment in the Muslim World" (2022) and "Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment" (2024) by Ahmet T Kuru. - What is the reason for the recommendation?
The reason given is that the books are "contrary to the aqidah of Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah, Islamic law, or that it misleads the Muslim public." - Has Lestari Hikmah, the publisher, responded to the recommendation?
Yes, Lestari Hikmah has responded, criticizing the council’s justifications for the ban as being generic and lacking any specific evidence from the text itself to substantiate the claim. The publisher has also argued that the action contravenes Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.