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Censoring me - and Beyonce - in Malaysia

Posted in Q & A on Oct 06, 2007

More reader feedback about why my book is censored in Malaysia, an historically tolerant and pluralistic part of the Muslim world:

Beyonce Knowles (don’t smirk on this, please) has the same problem as you. She canceled her Malaysia concert for she wasn’t allowed to wear her skimpy stuff the way she usually does. What would we call a covered Beyonce, anyway?

She decided, instead, to perform in some neighboring countries (like Indonesia) where rules are not as stifling. She can perform as she likes there. The local promoter, Razlan Ahmad Razali, said: “Though Indonesia is also a Muslim country, it doesn’t have all these issues that we [Malaysians] have.”

What are these issues? According to some people, no matter how they call things democratic, Muslims are still intrinsically theocratic. A party favoring “Islamic values” cannot also favor democratic ones. Even if you speak of [Malaysian Prime Minister] Badawi as the umbrella you are trying to open, well, what would you expect? An old and rusty umbrella.

Contrary to that view, however, I believe that the Islams of today are more theocratic because of what Muslims are turning them into.  In the first place, Islam was established by Mohammed with feminist values pretty much the same with the contemporary ones. Nowadays, everything is turned upside down.

This is only to tell you that publishing one page of a book by you in Malaysia is out of the question. But I am praying for it. More power to you, dear lady.” - anonymous

I see some truth in what anonymous is saying.  My book is being formally published in Indonesia. Journalists and women’s rights activists are openly supporting it. No such developments in Malaysia. Not yet.