Extremism in the Muslim world, Anwar said, had crept into society as people had failed “to reason and be critical”.

“It is also the failure of our learning institutions, including universities, to allow for creativity and critical minds,” he said during a function to hand out scholarships to students at the International Islamic University Malaysia here.

Anwar — who was education minister from 1986 to 1991 — said he had discussed this with education minister Fadhlina Sidek and higher education minister Khaled Nordin.

“The higher education ministry has allowed universities to state their views, except on matters that are (deemed) insulting, racist or religiously extreme.”

Anwar said he would like his administration to counter through critical thinking those extremists who harp on racial and religious issues, but admitted this would be an uphill task.

“You can be critical, but you cannot declare who is a Muslim and who isn’t, or who goes to hell or heaven.

“And this has been the narrative of some in the country. Universities should not allow that.”

Anwar noted that universities must allow criticisms if they are based on facts and reason.