Speaking after meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) today, Faisal, whose real name is Faizal Musa, said he believed fatwas were just “legal opinions” and should not be gazetted to become part of state laws.
“I had my books banned because I used certain words that supposedly offended some people. All I did was quote people who had talked about Sunnah and Shia Islam teachings. But, for that they said my writing was volatile.
“I say fatwas can be violations of human rights. We need secularism in Malaysia because in secular environments, religion flourishes better. It becomes a healthier version of religion,” he said outside Ilham Tower today.
Seven out of his 45 books have been banned in Malaysia by the previous administration over allegations that they contained elements of Shia Islam, a school of thought labelled as “deviant” by Malaysia’s Islamic authorities.
The seven books are “Sebongkah Batu di Kuala Berang”, “Karbala”, “Tiga Kali Seminggu”, “Ingin Jadi Nasrallah”, “Perempuan Nan Bercinta”, “Sinema Spiritual: Dramaturgi dan Kritikan:”, and “AKU___, MAKA AKU ADA!”
The home ministry told FMT in June that the bans had yet to be lifted.
Faisal said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already said his government hoped to push for a better version of Islam, “one that does not punish people as it currently does.”
“When a fatwa is issued in this country, it is also lawful. So, in the event of any offences caused, you may be subject to punishments and time in prison.
“But this needs to be changed in the new Malaysia, doesn’t it?”
Academic Prof Syed Farid Al-Attas, on the other hand, said he believed that many in Malaysia were guilty of spreading hatred towards followers of the Sunni and Shia school of thought.
“We must practise a more open attitude when discussing matters involving differences in religion,” he added.