It’s not just The Herald and Catholic Asian News that has come under the Home Ministry’s scrutiny.
Two books on Islam including one by the respected group Sisters in Islam (SIS) have been banned. The books were banned because they contained “twisted facts on Islam that can undermine the faith of Muslims”, according to a Bernama report.
I contacted Zainah Anwar of SIS and she told me the book “Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism” was an old one which has been out since 2005. According to her, it was actually a compilation of papers arising from a seminar among Muslim women’s groups from around the region and edited by Norani Othman, an experienced academic and researcher.
This report from Bernama:
Govt Bans Two Books Containing Twisted Facts On Islam
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) — The Home Ministry has banned two book titles containing twisted facts on Islam that can undermine the faith of Muslims.
Publications and Quranic Texts Control Division principal assistant secretary Abdul Razak Abdul Latif said the titles were banned by a prohibition order under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
The first book entitled “Pelik Tapi Benar Dalam Solat” by Abdul Rahman Mohamed, published by Telaga Biru Sdn Bhd, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur and printed by FDZ Design & Communications, Taman Bukit Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Another book title banned is “Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism” by Norani Othman, published by Sisters in Islam, Petaling Jaya and printed by Vinlin Press Bandar Baru Seri Petaling.
— BERNAMA
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It is a good thing for SIS to try to uphold and fight for women right. But, don’t fight blindly. There is the reason why Allah revealed Quran to mankind…to be the guidance, the main source of knowledge and rules. If you want to make a critic, at least do your homework properly. Study how the deduction of rules being made. It is not just something that can be based on history, there are methods, ways and steps that you need to follow. Islam is not a religion that is based on mind / thinking alone. If this is the… Read more »
Umar and Ahmed Siraj,
Alhamdulillah and thank you for the explanation and help… people sometimes just blame everthing that they feel is not right without really understanding the overall context.
Sisters in Islam shouldl be banned from using the word Islam in their name.. thay are just a bunch of secularists. Ya Allah, save our ummah from such blasphemy.
There are much confusion and distortion here regarding the sublime teachings of Islam. For in-depth comprehension of this universal faith, check out the following links:
http://www.islamonline.net/english/index.shtml
http://www.understanding-islam.com/
http://www.islamreligion.com/
Peace and blessings of Allah, the Most Gracious be upon you!
Ch. 9 of “Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism” is a paper authored by Hoda Rouhana and titled, “Women Living Under Muslim Laws” Herewith a relevant excerpt: “Although sexual orientation does not feature as a common “transgression” of “honour” in Muslim countries and communities, we believe that this is a function of the absolute silence that surrounds alternative sexualities, especially for Arab women in the region, rather than an indication of tolerance. In many countries and communities where WLUML has active networking linkages, women’s organizations have consciously or unconsciously avoided openly establishing local initiatives to support the rights… Read more »
“The books were banned because they contained “twisted facts on Islam that can undermine the faith of Muslims”, according to a Bernama report.”
Are seminar papers a challenge to the Quran?
Phua Kai Lit,
May i anwser your question?
. thats the anwser not even 0.
rajraman.My IQ dont know yet.
Banning a book that was published in 2005?
A bit late, isn’t it?
Question of the Day: What’s the average IQ of our government censors?
How many Muslims in Malaysia would support gender equality in Muslim maariages ? Presumably, that is not allowed under Malaysian Islamic interpretation and maybe even considered “twisted”.
UK now provides legal structure for gender equality in Muslim marriages. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2518720/New-Sharia-law-marraige-contract-gives-Muslim-women-rights.html
Are the UK Muslims “twisted”? Or are they progressive with the times ?
Will the Government of Malaysia banned the following books:
Women In Islam Versus Women In The Judaeo-Christian Tradition
http://www.twf.org/Library/WomenICJ.html
Jesus and the bible
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2731984/Jesus-the-Bible-Rashad-Abdul-Muhaimin
Can someone tell me how many muslims support or even acknowledge this twisted SIS organisation??? These people behind this SIS mask are nothing than just a bunch of unhappy women who fights for their own so called rights.. They never really acknowledge the content of Holy Quran or what the Prophet told. If they do, they would not have come out with the nonsense of fighting for what they called “Muslim women’s rights”.. Do anybody even know how many followers this SIS have?? They are talking nonsense and only been spreading twisted facts about Islam.. The ban suit them to… Read more »
So this proves that (certain followers of) Islam (are) ignorant, weak & intolerant, no?
We definitely have freedom of speech in Malaysia
How weak is a faith that can be undermined by reading books?
Nothing suprised me anymore.
Here ban there ban.
BANKRAP punya idea this warlords.
Whoever try to potray the real religion will be ban.
Only the warlords and PAS religion is right.(that also a bit flip flop due to secrect meeting exposed and they are banging each other now)
rajraman.Nothing to say before you ban me.(i wont be suprise if you ban me)
Only tongue twisting is allowed
Sorry, ‘twisted facts’ are banned
Dancing ‘Let’s twist again’ is followed
By sisters who need to be cooled and fanned
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 140808
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Thu. 14th Aug. 2008.
I’m guessing here that the SiS has no idea which part of the book is twisting Islam?
Malaysia is in the habit of banning anything is that has truth, fairness, justice or intelligent discussions in it. The government has no place or does allow people to voice out their opinion especially if it feels it will threaten their position. I have a lot of respect for Sisters in Islam who have the courage to speak out against the injustice towards muslim women. To you, I say, keep up your courage and may God bless you.
Can you enlightened me who respect SIS? Is it the liberals, Muslim groups, communist, non-Muslim or whoever that have the same interpretation of Islam with SIS?
I wonder how educated or smart are these people in Publications and Quranic Texts Control Division, able to censor/ban books written/edited/compiled by people with experience. Did they actually read the book, or understand its contents?
Or, do they just read the title, look for keywords that are in their list, and decide accordingly? If that be the case, we should perhaps title all books with positive words, write nice-sounding abstract and foreword. Surely that will work !!