When will the ban on the book “Baha’U’allah and New Era” be lifted or removed?
It has been more than two years since it is banned, but there is no sign of its lifting the ban of the book.
K.T.Maran
I concur absolutely with the prominent law Professor Azmi Sharom who questioned the government’s criteria in banning books on religion, saying authorities appears to focus on Malay readers as though they cannot think for themselves. I wish to refer to my letter to the editor 1st January 2016, in the local media (NST), under the title “Is blocking digital work doable” when Jakim banned a book on the Bahai faith titled “Baha’U’llah and the New Era” which was in circulation for 50 years along with other Islamic books by the previous government. It has been more than two years since it is banned, but there is no sign of its lifting the ban of the book.
The home Ministry banned five publications. The ban was made under the Government Gazette P.U (A) 270-274, dated Nov.26. The reason given was that the books contained elements that could confuse Muslims and damage their faith. Though I am not an authority to comment nor suggest on the banning of the four books related to Islam, I was taken aback and surprised on the ban on ‘Baha’U’allah and the New Era’ an introductory book about the Bahai faith originally written by J.E. Esslement published in 1923.
The book consists of 15 chapters which describe the evolution of the faith. It has been revised and updated several times, and is published electronically and is available online, accessible to anyone for free. In this country, this book has been available for 50 years, widely used by Bahais to inform and educate the non-Muslim public about the Bahai faith.
This particular book was not at anytime used to preach nor proselytise the Bahai faith to Muslims in Malaysia. Bahai are Law- abiding citizens in any country they reside, where one of the cardinal principles of the faith is to be loyal to the government of the land, at any particular material time.
I agree with professor Azmi Sharom that “The pattern indicates that the authorities are very concerned about Malay mind rather than Malaysian mind and this is very insulting because it’s as if we can’t read……. believe the authorities want the Malay mind to be obedient and fellow the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) brand of Shafie school of Sunni Islam”.
Under the “New Malaysia”, such thinking should change. Regardless of race, religion, schools of thought, everyone must enjoy freedom of expression and this includes freedom to get information. Freedom of expression is up to the reader to interpret a book, not dictated to by the authorities or any groups with ulterior motives or agenda.
I hope the authorities, especially Jakim, will review its decision made on the banning of the book “Baha’U’allah and the New Era” and to lift the ban. This will remove the contradictions and ironies of books which are available online (digital) and hardcopies being banned creating curiosity to access online.
