11 books on Islam banned in Malaysia

"Malaysia has banned 11 books for allegedly giving a false portrayal of Islam, such as by linking the religion to terrorism and the mistreatment of women, an official said Wednesday, The Associated Press reported from Kuala Lumpur.

The government ordered the books - most of them released by American publishers - to be blacklisted this month 'because they are not in line with what we call the Malaysian version of Islam,' said Che Din Yusoh, an official with the Internal Security Ministry's publications control unit.

'Some of them ridicule Islam as a religion or the facts are wrong about Islam, like associating Islam with terrorism or saying Islam mistreats women,' he said.

The banned books include eight English-language ones, such as 'The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and its Role in Terrorism,' 'Secrets of the Quran: Revealing Insights Into Islam's Holy Book' and 'Women in Islam.' There are also three books written in the local Malay language.

New York Times/Khaleej Times Online, 1 February 2008

The banning, however, gives a very accurate portrayal of Islam.