After almost a year and a half, the ban on the book Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism has been lifted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The book, edited by sociologist Prof Norani Othman from the International Studies Institute of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, was published for non-governmental organisation Sisters in Islam (SIS).

muslim women and the challenge of islamic extremism noraini othman A collection of essays by activists and international intellectuals, it was banned by the Home Ministry on July 31, 2008, on the ground that it was prejudicial to public order.

"Prejudicial to public order", as deemed by the court, was anything that could upset the security of the country.

It was also accused of being "inclined towards confusing the Muslim community especially women".

In delivering judgment this afternoon, Justice Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said he fails to see how the book can disrupt public order, as alleged by the Home Ministry.

 

"The book had been in circulation since 2005 but only banned on 2008. Throughout the two years that it had been made available, there is no proof to suggest it had affected public order," said Mohamad Ariff.

 

"Furthermore, the Home Ministry through its publication controls unit and the Islamic advancement department had only identified seven out of 215 pages that are said to be offensive. However, I failed to find the said pages and passages cited to be offensive."

Justice Mohamad Ariff said the passages were merely academic discussions and like many such publication, it is open to criticism.

Hence, he said the court finds the ministry's ruling to withhold the distribution, publication, reprinting and marketing of the book to be erroneous.

"It cannot stand. The move is erroneous in law and should not be allowed to stand and (is) against the law's principles. Hence, the order (by the ministry) cannot stand