The Bloodlust Faced by the 'Blaspheming' Saudi Journalist
GUARDIAN – BLOGS – ANDREW BROWN: Hamza Kashgari's tweets about Muhammad have led to a chilling online reaction from many in Saudi Arabia

In this country, and in the US, the judicial authorities make fools of themselves about Twitter. In Saudi and Malaysia, they may make themselves murderers. The case of Hamza Kashgari, a young Saudi journalist who has just been deported from Malaysia to face trial on charges of blasphemy, is one that should frighten and disgust anyone who cares about freedom of speech or religion.

His supposed offence was to have tweeted part of an imaginary conversation with the prophet Muhammad. "I have loved things about you and I have hated things about you and there is a lot I don't understand about you," he wrote; and: "I will not pray for you."

After six hours, he apologised for this, and then fled to Malaysia, en route to New Zealand, where he would have been safe. But after three days in Malaysia, he was arrested and shipped back to Saudi, where he faces the death penalty.

It is likely that he will not be executed, if he makes a sufficiently grovelling apology, though he will certainly be punished cruelly for something that is not a crime in any civilised society. This doesn't do much to excuse either the Saudis or the Malaysian authorities, who were under no compulsion to arrest him, and even less to deport him before his lawyers could lodge an appeal, despite the protests of both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Continue reading and comment » | Andrew Brown | Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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Islam and Valentine’s Day
Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi says he does not believe in such celebrations, but because others do and it makes them happy, what is the big deal?

ALIRAN: I wish to contribute my thoughts on the Valentine-Christian issue with respect to the renowned speaker Ustazah Siti Nor Bahyah.

The main message of my thoughts is simply that Muslim scholars and clerics must be made to understand that they are not experts in everything … particularly a good many things about other faiths like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism.

Muslim clerics like the Ustazah merely receive their education from traditional Islamic Institutions that do not have the subjects of Philosophy, Civilisation and Religious Studies.
All they know and have learnt are only from a single source of Muslim Studies.

As an academic, I will admit and clearly explain what I do know and what I do not know. If I had to respond to a certain question or comment with respect to knowledge that I do not possess much, then I am most humble in answering and never in an absolute or commandeering tone … much lest in a sarcastic or demeaning manner.

It is most unfortunate that in Malaysia, as well as perhaps in other Muslim countries too, Muslims think that it is their ‘divine’ duty to hate people of other faiths.

This is done to the point that a non-Muslim chief minister is despised despite his excellence in governance but a Muslim minister is supported and protected when allegations of rape, murder or bribery seem apparent. » | Aliran | Monday, February 13, 2012

Deported Writer Faces Apostasy Trial in Saudi Arabia
Malaysia, in extraditing Hamza Kashgari has shown disregard for international norms, says Human Rights Watch.

ALIRAN: Saudi authorities should free Hamza Kashgari and drop any charges against him based on comments he made on Twitter expressing his personal religious views, Human Rights Watch said on 12 February. On the morning of 12 February 2012, Malaysian authorities deported Kashgari back to Saudi Arabia to face charges of apostasy there, hours before lawyers obtained a Malaysian High Court injunction against his deportation.

Saudi Arabia’s highest official clerics have declared Kashgari guilty of apostasy based on his now-deleted tweets and called for him to be put to death.

“Malaysia had no business deporting Kashgari, and Saudi has no business prosecuting him for his tweets expressing his religious opinion, which it is his right to do freely,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “It is near certain he will not get a fair trial in Saudi Arabia, where religious scholars have concluded that he is guilty of apostasy and should be put to death.”

Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia on 6 February to Malaysia, following popular outrage and calls for his punishment after he published a number of tweets expressing his religious views, which he has since deleted. Human Rights Watch has reviewed the alleged tweets and not found any language that could incite violence. The 23-year-old journalist, who wrote for Al-Bilad daily newspaper, has expressed regret for the tweets, saying he had no idea they would elicit such a strong negative reaction. » | Aliran | Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Red Roses, Black Market
FOREIGN POLICY: Five places that aren't feeling the love this Valentine's Day.

SAUDI ARABIA

Under the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islamic law, Valentine's Day is forbidden because it celebrates the life of a Christian saint and "encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women,"according to Sheikh Khaled Al-Dossari, a Saudi religious scholar. All the accoutrements of Valentine's Day merely represent the culture "of a people who are involved in the humiliation and killing of our fellow brothers and sisters," Mariam Anwer, a Saudi schoolteacher, told the Saudi Gazette.

Every year, Saudi Arabia's infamous morality police force, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, raids shops a few days before Feb. 14, instructing owners to remove red roses, red wrapping paper, teddy bears, and gift boxes. On the eve of the holiday, they raid stores and seize symbols of love.

Because of the ban on red roses, a black market has flowered ahead of Valentine's Day. Roses that normally go for five Saudi riyal (about $1.30) fetch up to 30 riyal ($8) each on Feb. 14. Florists reportedly deliver bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion.

Ahmed Al-Omran, a well-known Saudi blogger, told CNN back in February 2008 that the government's ban would give the international media another reason to make fun of the Saudis "but I think that we got used to that by now." » | Alessandra N. Ram | Monday, February 13, 2012

Saudi Writer Hamza Kashgari Detained in Malaysia Over Muhammad Tweets

THE DAILY BEAST: A young Saudi blogger whose tweets about the Prophet Muhammad inflamed Islamists—who are calling for his execution—reportedly has been detained in Malaysia. It is not clear if he will be extradited to Saudi Arabia. Mike Giglio exclusively interviews Hamza Kashgari.

Update: The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Hamza Kashgari has been detained in Malaysia. He was detained yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur International airport, the Journal reports, citing Malaysia’s state news service.

A friend of Kashgari’s, who asked not to be named, told The Daily Beast on Wednesday that she had accompanied him to the airport and witnessed his detention. “We were just watching him, waiting for him to pass the immigration checkpoint. Once he submitted his passport, they asked him to step away for a few minutes,” the friend said, still noticeably shaken. “And suddenly these two people without uniforms just arrested him.”

It remains unclear why Kashgari is being held or whether he will be extradited to Saudi Arabia.
Last week, just before the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, Hamza Kashgari, a 23-year-old Saudi writer in Jidda, took to his Twitter feed to reflect on the occasion.

“On your birthday, I will say that I have loved the rebel in you, that you’ve always been a source of inspiration to me, and that I do not like the halos of divinity around you. I shall not pray for you,” he wrote in one tweet.

“On your birthday, I find you wherever I turn. I will say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and could not understand many more,” he wrote in a second.

“On your birthday, I shall not bow to you. I shall not kiss your hand. Rather, I shall shake it as equals do, and smile at you as you smile at me. I shall speak to you as a friend, no more,” he concluded in a third. » | Mike Giglio | Friday, February 10, 2012


Related »

Malaysia Arrests Saudi Blogger Over Tweets

AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Hamza Kashgari detained after apparently fleeing kingdom after being accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad on Twitter.

A Saudi blogger who caused outrage in the Gulf kingdom with comments on twitter [sic] deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad, has been arrested by Malaysian police after fleeing Saudi Arabia following calls for his execution.

Hamza Kashgari was headed to New Zealand where he hoped to gain political asylum when he was arrested upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Thursday.

A police spokesman confirmed to the Reuters news agency that Malaysian police had detained the 23-year-old columnist.

"This arrest was part of an Interpol operation which the Malaysian police were a part of," said the spokesman.

State news agency Bernama said Kashgari was arrested in the Muslim-majority nation "for allegedly insulting Islam and the Prophet Mohammed."

No further details were provided on whether the writer from the western city of Jeddah would be extradited to Saudi Arabia.

An official with the Malaysian home ministry who asked to remain unidentified told the AFP news agency that though Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have no formal extradition treaties, Kashgari could be extradited under other bilateral security agreements.

Clerics and locals in the kingdom have called for Kashgari's death for three comments he made on the micro-blogging service on the occasion of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

"On your birthday, I find you wherever I turn. I will say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and could not understand many more," read one tweet posted on Saturday.

All three tweets were later deleted by Kashgari, who received over 30,000 responses within a day of the postings. » | Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | Friday, February 10, 2012


Related »

'Sacred Sex' Muslim Group Probed
NEWS 24: Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian authorities said on Thursday they were investigating whether a Muslim group violated religious laws with a morality campaign that describes the Prophet Muhammad as a role model for "sacred sex".

The group that calls itself the Obedient Wives Club is planning private talks for hundreds of its members in the campaign centred around the prophet, who is thought to have married about a dozen women in his lifetime, including widows in need of protection.

The campaign, which is scheduled to run for nearly two weeks, bears a title that calls the prophet a "role model for sacred sex" and urges members to follow his example and avoid sexual sins. » | AP | Thursday, January 26, 2012

Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim Cleared of Sodomy Charges

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Malaysia's charismatic opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was cleared of sodomy charges on Monday, opening the way for a challenge this year to the ruling party that has governed for over 50 years since independence from Britain.

The unexpected verdict, which hinged on the judge's decision that DNA evidence presented by the prosecution was unreliable, sparked scenes of wild jubilation from his supporters in the Kuala Lumpur court and tears of joy from his wife and children.

Mr Anwar, 64, said he was "pleasantly shocked" by the verdict, which he has long alleged would be fixed by Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak on the trumped up charges to smear him and keep him out of politics.

But the government said the verdict in the case clearly underscored the judiciary's independence and illustrated it was listening to demands for reform among an electorate, which has an eye on the Arab Spring protests. » | Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok | Monday, January 09, 2012

Malaysian Muslims Rally against Proselytizing
ARAB NEWS: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Several thousand Malaysian Muslims have protested against alleged proselytizing by Christians.

The rally Saturday reflects growing racial tensions in Muslim-majority Malaysia ahead of elections expected next year.

Organizing chairman Yusri Mohamed says the rally, backed by about two dozen Islamic groups, was aimed at uniting Muslims to defend their faith. » | ASSOCIATED PRESS | Saturday, October 22, 2011

Malaysia: Explicit Islamic Sex Manual Encourages Group Sex

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The controversial Obedient Wife Club in Malaysia has spawned new outrage by producing an explicit Islamic sex manual.

The 115-page, pocket-sized guide to Islamic sex suggests that Muslim men can have sexual relations with all their wives simultaneously. Islamic teachings say a man can take up to four wives if he has the means to support them.

The Obedient Wife Club is no stranger to controversy. When it formed in June, claiming 1,000 members, one of the founders told Malaysia’s women they need to behave like a “first-class whore” in the bedroom to stop their men from straying. » | Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok | Friday, October 14, 2011

Malaysias Kirche stimmt Scharia-Einführung zu
RP ONLINE: Kuala lumpur (kna). Der Vorsitzende der katholischen Bischofskonferenz Malaysias, Bischof Paul Tan Chee Ing, wäre mit der Einführung des islamischen Strafrechts im Bundesstaat Kelantan einverstanden. "Wenn die Muslime in Kelantan es so wollen, dann ist es an der Zeit, nur für sie die Scharia einzuführen", sagte der Oberhirte des Bistums Malaka-Johor. Voraussetzung sei jedoch, dass Nichtmuslime von den Strafrechtsbestimmungen ausgenommen seien. Die Regelung müsse "feuerfest" sein. Kelantan wird von der islamischen Partei PAS regiert. [Quelle: RP Online] | RP | Samstag 24. September 2011

Lady Gaga Takes On Malaysia's Censors
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The controversial pop star Lady Gaga thumbed her nose at Muslim-majority Malaysia's conservative culture and urged its young people to fight the censorship of her hit song promoting acceptance of gays.

She said youth in Malaysia – where homosexuality is taboo and sodomy illegal – must peacefully protest the crackdown against her song "Born This Way" if they wanted to be free in their own society.

The largest group of non-government radio stations has been rendering song's line "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian or transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby" unintelligible by garbling the lyric.

Pop acts from the West regularly fall foul of the authorities or conservative Islamic groups in Malaysia. Numerous concerts have been cancelled, dramatically toned down or the promoters fined afterwards for contravening laws governing modesty.

But the outspoken Lady Gaga refused to hold her tongue when asked about the Malaysian censorship when she visited the headquarters of Google, in Mountain View, California.

"What I would say is for all the young people in Malaysia that want those words to be played on the radio, it is your job and it is your duty as young people to have your voices heard," she said in an interview posted on YouTube. » | Ian MacKinnon, Bangkok | Thursday, March 24, 2011

Malaysia Supports Saudi Arabia, GCC Peace Actions in Bahrain
PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Tuesday that Malaysia supports the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries towards achieving peace, reconciliation and long-term stability in Bahrain.

Najib said in a statement issued through Malaysia's national news agency that the Malaysian government fully backs all sovereign decisions taken by the GCC allies, which aim at safeguarding stability and security in the region to ensure harmony and peace.

The prime minister also stressed that Malaysia denounces any terrorist-linked group that undermines the stability and security of Bahrain. » | Source: Xinhua | Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Malaysia Media Laws Raise Concern

Daughter of Former British Nuclear Scientist Could Face Death Penalty for Drugs Charges
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The daughter of a former British nuclear scientist could face the death penalty in Malaysia after being arrested on suspicion of drugs trafficking.

Mother-of-two Shivaun Orton, 41, from Bangor, Wales, whose father Mike Orton worked at the Atmoic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston, was arrested after a drugs raid on a holiday resort which she and her husband run.

Police seized 225g of heroin, as well as cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy during the raid on the resort on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Orton, 41, was arrested along with her Malaysian husband Abdul Harris Fadilah, 46, following a raid by Malaysian narcotics police at the Ranting Resort which the couple run in Cherating. >>> Andrew Drummond in Bangkok | Thursday, December 16, 2010

Nothing Else, Except Religion Has Changed, Converts Told
DAILY EXPRESS (MALAYSIA): Kota Kinabalu: New Muslim converts should acknowledge that only their religion has changed but not their race, culture, ethnic identity and families, said Hidayah Centre Premier Iftar Programme Director Ustaz Firdaus Said.

He said it is vital for them to remember that their race, culture, ethnic identity and families remain the same before they converted to Islam as long as these do not go against the Islam syariat.

"Hidayah Centre Sabah (HCS) has implemented a unique approach by requiring new Muslim converts to wear batik attire and their respective traditional clothing of their respective ethnic group or race.

"However, we see that many of our new brothers and sisters are not wearing their traditional clothing because they thought that when they convert to Islam, they should leave behind their heritage of culture, tradition and race.

"When in fact, they should not be having such understanding and knowledge because the only thing that change is their religion when they convert to Islam," Ustaz Firdaus Said. >>> | Thursday, August 26, 2010

Sodomie: Malaise en Malaisie
leJDD.fr: Lundi, le procès de l'ancien vice-Premier ministre malaisien, Anwar Ibrahim, qui risque 20 ans de prison pour sodomie, a été ajourné au 9 août. Son assistant, qui l'accuse, entretiendrait une liaison avec un membre de l'équipe du procureur. Le leader de l'opposition clame son innocence et dénonce une mascarade pour briser sa carrière politique.

Accusé de sodomie, Anwar Ibrahim, leader de l'opposition malaisienne -ici accompagné de son épouse Wan Azizah Wan Ismail- dénonce une mascarade pour briser sa carrière politique. Photo : leJDD.fr
Pour Anwar Ibrahim, l'histoire semble singulièrement se répéter. A 63 ans, le leader de l'opposition malaisienne et ancien vice-Premier ministre n'en est pas à son premier procès pour sodomie. Condamné en 1998, cet homme marié à une autre femme politique a passé six ans derrière les barreaux, avant d'être finalement acquitté en 2004. En Malaisie, où l'homosexualité est interdite, l'acte est passible de 20 ans de prison et qualifié de "relation charnelle contre l'ordre de la nature" dans le code pénal. En juillet 2008, nouvelle accusation d'un ancien de ses assistants, de 40 ans son cadet, pour le même motif. Depuis, Anwar Ibrahim n'a cessé de clamer son innocence. "C'est la répétition du même scénario " avait-il déclaré, joint par le New York Times en janvier 2010, un mois avant le début du procès. Une carrière politique brisée >>> Charlotte Lazimi, leJDD.fr | Mercredi 04 Août 2010

Malaysia Opposition Leader Accused of Sodomizing Aide
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia’s resurgent political opposition, took refuge on Sunday in the Turkish Embassy in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, saying he feared for his security after an aide accused him of participating in homosexual acts.

The police in Malaysia said they would investigate allegations by the aide, Saiful Bahari, a 23-year-old campaign worker, that he had been sodomized by Mr. Anwar. Sodomy is described under Malaysian law as “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and is punishable by up to 20 years in jail.

The accusation, similar to one that led to Mr. Anwar’s dismissal as deputy prime minister and jailing a decade ago, comes at a time of turbulence in Malaysian politics, with Mr. Anwar threatening to woo enough defectors from the ruling coalition to form his own government.

Mr. Anwar spent six years in prison for the 1998 sodomy case but was ultimately acquitted and released.

“Not again,” said Mr. Anwar, reached by telephone inside the embassy. “It’s a repeat of the same script.” >>> Thomas Fuller | Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Der Super-Imam und die Islamisierung Malaysias
WELT ONLINE: Der Erfolg einer religiösen Talentshow ist symptomatisch dafür, wie die einstige Liberalität Malaysias langsam schwindet.

Der Sieger: Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Ridzuan gewann die Talentshow. Bild: Welt Online
Asyraf hat das verzückte Gesicht zum Himmel erhoben. Der 26-Jährige steht allein im grellen Licht der Scheinwerfer und reckt beschwörend die Hände in die Höhe, als er seine Stimme dramatisch anschwellen lässt. Vor seinem Kinn ist ein modernes Kopfmikrophon befestigt – die einzige Parallele zu westlichen Talentshows, die diesem TV-Programm aus Malaysia als Vorbild dienten. Asyraf schmettert keinen schwülstigen Popsong, er predigt. Die Predigt ist die letzte große Herausforderung der malaysischen Castingshow „Imam Muda“, junger Imam. Zwei der ursprünglich zehn Kandidaten sind noch übrig: Muhammad Asyraf Bin Mohd Ridzuan und der 27-jährige Hizbur Rahman Bin Omar Zuhdi. Noch einmal müssen sie beim großen Finale der Talentshow zeigen, was sie können. Noch einmal darin wetteifern, wer der beste Nachwuchsimam des Landes ist.

Schließlich kommt die Stunde der Entscheidung – und das ganze Land hält den Atem an. In langen schwarzen Mänteln mit goldenen Borten stehen die beiden Finalisten da, stocksteif, die Hände vor dem Bauch verschränkt. Bewegt wird sich grundsätzlich nicht viel bei „Imam Muda“. Endlich bricht der gestrenge Ustaz Hasan Mahmud al-Hafiz, der „Dieter Bohlen“ der Show und früherer Chef-Imam der Nationalmoschee, die Spannung. Mit schnarrender Stimme verkündet er den Sieger: Asyraf, der 26-jährige Religionsstudent aus dem Bundesstaat Penang, ist der „Imam Muda“, Malaysias Religionsführer der Zukunft.

Die Castingshow hat in dem südostasiatischen Staat sämtliche Rekorde gebrochen. Islamisches Reality-Fernsehen: In der Erfolgssendung des Kabelsenders Astro Oasis traten zehn Wochen lang junge Männer zwischen 18 und 27 Jahren gegeneinander an. Sie maßen sich in Religionswissen und Riten, in Theorie und Praxis. Sie mussten Leichen waschen, Schafe schlachten und jungen Mädchen vorehelichen Sex ausreden – und das alles vor den strengen Augen der Religions-Juroren. Kein Fernsehen, keine Handys, kein Internet >>> Von Sophie Mühlmann | Samstag, 31. Juli 2010

New Dark Age Alert! Shariah Law – For Extra-marital Sex? Cane Them!
MAIL ONLINE: Three Muslim women who were the first in Malaysia to be caned for having sex outside marraige this morning claimed the punishment was an opportunity for them to repent.

Prison authorities caned the women last week after an Islamic Shariah court issued the penalty.

The caning has outraged rights groups and revived speculation that conservative Islamists, who advocate harsh punishment, are gaining influence in the country.

The three women, aged 17-25, said they turned themselves in after feeling guilty for sleeping with their boyfriends before marriage and getting pregnant.

The 17-year-old told reporters that she surrendered to Islamic authorities after her prematurely born child died.

She is now serving a six-month prison sentence.

'I know I have sinned, and I have to be punished. Strangely however, I felt that the caning was not a form of punishment but was an opportunity for me to repent and return to the right path,' she said.

She has already married her boyfriend, who has also been caned and jailed over the offence.

The other women, who have one young child each, are planning to marry their partners after they are released.

The men were also caned for having sex. 'We deserved our punishment': What three Muslim Malaysian women said after being caned for having sex outside marriage >>> | Saturday, February 20, 2010

No God But God: Malaysia's "Allah" Controversy
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Summary: The political trends behind Malaysia's recent "Allah" controversy could undermine the delicate sociocultural balance in one of the Muslim world's most developed nations.

Last December, the Malaysian High Court ruled that the Herald, a weekly Catholic magazine, was allowed to use the Arabic word "Allah" to refer to God in its Malay-language section. The decision overturned a government ban on non-Muslim use of the term and was met with protests in Kuala Lumpur's central mosque and decried online in numerous Malay Muslim chat rooms. In the days following the announcement, arsonists set fire to as many as eight churches around the country. Subsequently, several Muslim prayer halls were also attacked.

The arson attacks have caused a round of soul-searching among Malaysians, who are fond of celebrating their country's rich religious and racial diversity but who have seen its politics become increasingly sectarian in recent decades. Left unaddressed, these trends could undermine the delicate sociocultural balance in one of the Muslim world's most developed nations and deal a fatal blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's goal of national unity.

For many Muslims in the region, Christian use of the word "Allah" is relatively unproblematic. Jesus, who lived six centuries before Islam was founded, would most likely have used a similar Aramaic word, "Alah," in reference to God. In fact, the Arabic word "Allah" shares the same root as the Aramaic "Alah" as well as the Hebrew "Elohim." It is derived from two words, namely "Al," meaning "the" and "Elah" meaning God. In this sense, it can be argued that "Allah," "Elohim," and "Alah" or "Elah" are closely linked.

Today, the word "Allah" is used by Muslims and many Christians alike. When the Coptic Christians in Egypt celebrate their Christmas Mass, for example, their pope begins his sermon with the phrase "Bismillah" (in the name of God) and uses the word "Allah" throughout. In Southeast Asia, Catholics and Protestants use the term "Allah"; Indonesian Christians have sung prayers to Allah at every Easter and Christmas celebration since the arrival of Christianity on those islands a millennium ago.

The term is as important to Arab and Southeast Asian Christians as it is to Muslims because it stands for the notion of a singular, universal God. "Allah" literally means "the God," denoting a singular deity. This is particularly significant for Christians in Malaysia, who have been reluctant use the Malay "Tuhan," because the word does not have a monotheistic connotation. It even has a plural form, "Tuhan-tuhan," which is understood as "gods." >>> Joseph Chinyong Liow* | Wednesday, February 10, 2010

*JOSEPH CHINYONG LIOW is Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is author of Piety and Politics: Islamism in Contemporary Malaysia.