Director of publishing house held over Irshad book
Irshad Manji during a visit to Kuala Lumpur recently. — file picSHAH ALAM, May 29 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) today raided a publishing house in Petaling Jaya and detained its director over the publication of a controversial book by liberal Muslim activist Irshad Manji.
Twenty Jais enforcement officers also confiscated 180 copies of the book “Allah, Liberty and Love” from the premises in the 11.30am raid.
Jais acting director Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad confirmed the seizure and arrest when contacted.
The company’s director was arrested under Section 16(1)(a) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment for allegedly publishing contentious material against the syariah law.
He was later released on a RM1,800 bail with one surety by Syariah Magistrate’s Court judge Shahrudin Selamat.
Mohd Shahzihan also gave Jais two months to prepare its case against the company and its director.
The Home Ministry has banned the book and its translated version “Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta” as it contradicted the Quran and Hadith. — Bernama
