Malaya bans 'liberal' books on Islam

The Malaysian government has banned 18 books on Islam and religion for their alleged potential to "disrupt peace and harmony". The ban, imposed by the ministry of internal security, includes the works of noted Islam scholars Karen Armstrong and John Esposito. A rights group based in Kuala Lumpur, Sisters in Islam, said: "Malaysian readers are being deprived of ideas and debates by renowned scholars and writers, published by reputable institutions such as the Oxford University Press." The prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is thought to be bowing to the wishes of conservative Muslims who regard such academic works as too liberal. (Via ifex.org)