The author, whose seven books are still under a ban imposed by the previous administration over allegations that they contain Shia Muslim undertones, was however tight-lipped when asked to give more details on his meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons in Putrajaya today.
Faisal said he had suggested to the council that the advisers for religious agencies should also be academics such as anthropologists and sociologists.
He said he had also put forth several other suggestions, adding that the response from the council was positive.
The academic at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said he also raised the issue of his books being banned by the government.
Faisal was among scholars and activists called by the council to get feedback on the reform of Islamic institutions.
Others who were called to the meeting today include state muftis as well as independent Muslim scholars, academics and activists.
Meanwhile, Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor spoke on the need for Malaysian Muslim scholars not to restrict themselves to the Shafi’i teachings, the predominant Sunni school of thought followed by Muslims in the country.
“In Southeast Asia countries, we adopt the Shafi’i teachings but there is no restriction for us to refer to and make use of other schools of thoughts. Maybe we can find solutions in other schools of thought,” he told reporters after meeting the Council of Eminent Persons.
He also reminded Muslims not to limit themselves to “ambiguous” Islamic texts, saying they need fresh interpretations to suit current needs.
“Times have changed, and we must have the courage to change. We cannot take the texts literally,” he said.
Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin who also met the council, spoke on several issues including the future of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which has come scrutiny over its huge budget as well as jurisdiction on Islam.
But Asri was coy when asked about his meeting with the council.
Next, Putrajaya council to meet conservative and liberal Muslims