Scholar slams national Islamic council over book ban recommendation

FMT:

 

Scholar slams national

Islamic council over book

ban recommendation

FMT Reporters

-21 Mar 2025, 02:15 PM

Turkish-American Ahmet T Kuru says the ban proves his argument that the ulama-state alliance suppresses intellectual freedom and critical thinking.

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Ahmet T Kuru urged the home ministry not to comply with the national Islamic council’s recommendation to ban two of his works

PETALING JAYA: 

US-based scholar Ahmet T Kuru has criticised the muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) and the Malaysian Islamic development department (Jakim) for recommending a ban on two of his books.

His works, Perikatan Ulama Negara Punca Autoritarianisme dan Kemunduran Dunia Muslim (2022) and Islam, Autoritarianisme dan Kemunduran Bangsa (2024) are among 12 books that MKI has endorsed for a prohibition order issued by the home ministry.

MKI chairman Nooh Gadot said earlier today the books contain teachings and ideologies that contradict Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Al-Asya’irah Al-Maturidiyyah), Islamic law, and morality, and could confuse the Muslim community.

Kuru said the ban only reinforces the central thesis of his research that “the ulama-state alliance is anti-intellectual and stifles critical thinking”.

He also rejected claims that his books contradict Sunni Islam, insisting that they are academic works in social sciences, not theology.

“Only one of my books briefly touches on theology, exploring whether the rationalist approach of scholars like Abu Hanifa and Maturidi offers an alternative to the more literalist interpretations of Shafi’i and Ash’ari,” he said.

He urged the home ministry to reject the MKI’s recommendation and stand firm in defending academic freedom.

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

MKI’s fatwa does not only ban Kuru’s book, but also 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).

Also prohibited are Suhuf Abraham and Suka Duka Perjalanan Dhul Qarnain, both of which lack identified authors or publication years.

The other titles include Golongan Muslim Pertama, Sejarah dan Memori by Asma Afsaruddin (2018), Jalan Kebenaran Universal, Duhai Hati – Menarilah Bersamaku by Ismail Ariffin @ Lepat (2023), Kaidah Moral dan Disiplin, and Penemuan Terbaru Akidah Bersanad Imam Al-Shafi’i by Sadr al-Din Abu al-Wafa’ Sulayman bin Yusuf al-Yasufi (2024).

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kt remarks:

Of course the ulama-state alliance is anti-intellectual and stifles critical thinking.