Malaysia detains Turkish writer

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AA) - Malaysian authorities detained a Turkish writer at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Monday for allegedly delivering a lecture on Islam without proper credentials, according to a source at the immigration office.

Akyol, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur to deliver a lecture at a private university Monday evening, was detained at the airport by the Immigration Department, when the former was about to catch a flight to Boston, United States, via Istanbul.

The Turkish writer was scheduled to speak at the Nottingham University Kuala Lumpur Monday on the topic: “The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims.”

A source in the immigration department told Anadolu Agency that Akyol was first called in for questioning by Islamic religious authorities for lecturing on Islam without proper credentials.

“Akyol was summoned for teaching without official credentials from the religious authorities, under Section 11 of the Shariah Criminal Offences [Federal Territories] Act,” the source, who wished to stay anonymous for not being authorized to talk to the media, said.

If charged under Section 11 of the Shariah Criminal Offences, Akyol can be fined up to $713 or face more than three years imprisonment or both.