Putrajaya: Events with lesbian Muslim writer Manji banned
(The Malaysian Insider) – The government will not allow any events involving Irshad Manji, a lesbian writer who has stirred up controversy during her visit here to promote her book on Islam, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said this morning.
The Islamic affairs minister has insisted that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and home ministry will not allow any events involving the Ugandan-born Canadian author, saying her “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender” (LGBT) ideology contradicts the laws of the Malaysia.
The minister in the prime minister’s department (picture) cited Article 3(1) of the Constitution which makes Islam the official religion and other Acts of Parliament as well as state Islamic enactments.
But although the author who is here to promote her book “Allah, Liberty and Love,” has cancelled all her other public events, she is scheduled to speak at 2pm in Kuala Lumpur, where there are no such state enactments.
“The government views seriously this ideology brought by Irshad Manji and its implications for Muslims here,” the senator was quoted by Bernama as saying in Gurun, Kedah.
But Bar Council constitutional law committee chairman Syahredzan Johan told The Malaysian Insider there are no laws prohibiting an individual from speaking about LGBT activities.
“There are laws against homosexual acts but not against being a homosexual or barring a homosexual from speaking about it. Not even in the state Islamic enactments. So I don’t know what authorities or police can do.
Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-events-with-lesbian-muslim-writer-manji-banned/
