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Gay Muslim activist launches book tour in Malaysia
A Canadian Muslim gay activist launched her controversial new book on reforming Islam in Malaysia Saturday despite a government minister's attempts to shut down the event.Irshad Manji launched "Allah, Liberty and Love" at a hastily arranged event in Kuala Lumpur after two other venues pulled out of hosting her. Jamil Khir Baharom, Malaysia's minister in charge of Islamic affairs, had said Islamic officials and the Home Ministry would not permit the author's tour in the country following complaints. He was quoted as saying earlier on Saturday that the book was offensive to Muslims as was Manji's ideology and open homosexuality. Her website says the book, now available in the Malay language, "shows all of us how to reconcile faith and freedom in a world seething with repressive dogmas... This book is the ultimate guide to becoming a gutsy global citizen". The book has not yet been officially banned. Her previous internationally acclaimed book, "The Trouble with Islam Today", is already banned in Malaysia. Manji also faced problems while touring Indonesia before coming to Malaysia. Police shut down several events after the Islamic Defenders Front group held violent protests condemning her views. Posted by: ryuge 2012-05-20 |
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