Think tank criticises cancellation of US academic’s book launch

 

Ahmet T Kuru’s book launch will now be held at the University of Nottingham campus in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. (X pic)

PETALING JAYA: Think tank Islamic Renaissance Front has criticised the cancellation of a book launch by a US-based political scientist, Ahmet T Kuru, which had been scheduled to be held at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia (IAIS) next Monday.

Kuru claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the launch of the book titled “Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment”, which has been translated to Malay, was called off following “pressure from conservatives”.

Kuru, the director of Islamic and Arabic studies at the San Diego State University in the US, also said he “faced hostility” and was accused of being “anti-Islam” when the event was announced.

In a statement today, IRF founder and director Ahmad Farouk Musa said it was “very unfortunate” that the book launch had been cancelled at the last minute after months of preparation.

He said Kuru has been “ridiculously accused” of being condescending of all ulama and promoting “liberalism” because of his research which found that historically, some ulama have sided with the ruling authorities.

“These baseless accusations have to be rejected outright,” Farouk said.

“We deeply regret that IAIS, the intellectual arm of the Madani government, has capitulated to anti-intellectual and authoritarian pressures.

“Before we reject any idea, we should understand it well first. What better way than to give the author a chance to expound it in the public sphere so that we can then judge its merits and demerits?

“If we want to change people’s mindset for the better, we should start by promoting – rather than inhibiting – an intellectual culture.”

The IRF is now helping Kuru to organise the book launch at the University of Nottingham campus at Jalan Conlay in Kuala Lumpur on Monday at 3pm.

Apart from the book launch, Kuru is slated to give two public talks – at Gerakbudaya tomorrow, and at the International Islamic University Malaysia on Tuesday.

Separately, Kuru told FMT he was happy to be in Malaysia and was looking forward to having “fruitful conversations” with intellectuals, scholars and readers. - FMT