UTM defends cancellation of Ramli Ibrahim's talk

 

The management of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has defended its Islamic centre’s advice to cancel an online talk initially scheduled for yesterday that featured Sutra Dance Theatre artistic director Ramli Ibrahim.

UTM said while it thanked Ramli for his initial agreement to deliver a talk as part of its students-led Tun Razak Arts Week, a meeting of the UTM Islamic Centre had deemed the subject of cross-culture dance art as unsuitable.

“This online programme was intended to provide an opportunity for UTM students and students of other public universities to share their artistic talents, provide exposure to fields of arts based on changing times, foster an interest in the arts within students, as well as strengthen the cooperation network between UTM and other public universities.

“However, the UTM Islamic Centre’s management had met and advised for the programme to be stopped on grounds of its suitability,” it said in a statement responding to Ramli.

UTM said the decision was also made based on its guideline on arts and culture, where any programme implemented under the fields must be referred to and received approval of the UTM Islamic Centre.

“The UTM’s Islamic Centre’s advice represented the university’s stand, emphasising programme contents that does not offend any parties and balances various aspects of diversity, wellbeing and spirituality.

Online portal The Vibes today reported that Ramli had called out UTM’s Islamic Centre for its “narrow mindset” and “bigoted” view in cancelling his talk.

“It is vital that students are prepared to encounter multiculturalism when they leave, as opposed to the starkly monocultural environment at UTM. As part of exposure, it would be good for students to be familiar with the cultural diversity of the real world.

“This is clearly an unacceptable and weak excuse of a narrow mindset, one that is clearly out of step with the prevailing worldview and should never be allowed to be in charge of educating our youth,” Ramli was quoted as saying.

Despite cancellation of the talk, UTM said its Arts Week 2021 will proceed with other activities including dialogues, watercolour painting, and introduction to “Wayang Wong”.

In apologising to Ramli for any difficulties caused, UTM said it hoped the national cultural icon would continue to support its other future programmes. - Mkini