The subject text, “The Message of the Qur’an”, was translated and explained in English by Muhammad Asad, and first published in Gibraltar in 1980.

The English version has been published and distributed in Malaysia since 2011, with the government’s approval.

Justice Amarjeet Singh granted IRF leave today after senior federal counsel Faisal Noor told the court that the attorney-general had no objection to the judicial review application being heard on its merits.

The court fixed July 24 for case management.

IRF was represented by lawyer Surendra Ananth.

It named the home ministry and the Quran control and licensing of printing board as respondents in its application.

On Nov 2, 2023, the home ministry granted conditional approval to IRF to undertake a translation of the subject work into Bahasa Melayu.

Among the conditions was that the translated text could only be used for academic purposes. IRF was also required to make certain corrections to the Bahasa Melayu version of the text.

IRF claims that it fulfilled those requirements.

However, on Feb 21, the home ministry said it was revoking the conditional approval, claiming that the final copy of the translated work failed to meet the “required standards” for certification.

IRF claimed that it was not given reasons for the government’s “U-turn” on its 2023 approval.

It also said the ministry had denied it the opportunity to be heard.

“This approval cannot be arbitrarily revoked without proper reasons,” it said.

IRF is also seeking damages, and a declaration that the Nov 2, 2023 approval is valid.