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QURANIC SOCIETY OF MALAYSIA ESTABLISHED

During a meeting held on May 16, 1993 at the Malaysian University of Science, an organization by the name of Jema’ah Al-Quran Malaysia (Quranic Society of Malaysia) was established. Among the goals of the new organization were to call for the Muslims to return to the Quranic teachings and to contribute to the new revival of true Islam.

A group of people, led by Dr. Kassim Ahmad -- a renowned Malaysian writer and thinker, has been elected to run the Society. Dr. Ahmad has written two highly controversial books (in Malay) criticizing the role of Hadith and urging the Muslims to return to the Quran alone. His first book on the subject (1985) was eventually banned by the Government under pressure from the ‘Ulama (it was sold out of print). His latest book (1992) summarized and answered all the critics of his earlier book, as well as broadened the scope of the argument.

One of the activities of the Society is publishing a newsletter every other month (also in Malay). A dialogue was held with several visiting scholars in Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University known with their Malay abbreviation UIA. These professors lectured on “why the Muslims cannot rely on the Quran alone in practising Islam,” and the representatives from the Quranic Society presented the counter-arguments. The whole session was conducted in English, moderated by Br. Syed Akbar Ali. This debate was recorded on video tape. The address of the Society is: 80, Jalan Gajah, 11200 Tanjung Bunga, Pulau Pinang - Malaysia The phone number is 04-669515 or 04-891155.

Gatut Adisoma