The Sharia authorities in the Malaysian state of Selangor have charged the former Mufti of Perlis, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, of preaching Islam without a permit to do so. For Malaysian-watchers worldwide, this case will be seen as a litmus test for Malaysia.

Islamic authorities charged a popular Muslim scholar Wednesday with delivering an illegal lecture in what critics considered an attempt by conservative clerics to silence one of Malaysia's most progressive preachers.

Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin pleaded not guilty in the Gombak Timur Syariah Court today to a charge of conducting religious lecture without a certification of authority.

At a time when sponsored Haj pilgrimage trips have stirred up a controversy, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has announced he is ready to accept sponsorship to perform the Haj next year.

I am currently reading the fascinating study 'Official Ulama and the Politics of Re-Islamisation: The Majelis Permesyuwaratan Ulama, Shariatisation and Contested Religious Authority in Post-New Order Aceh' by my dear friend and colleague Moch Nur Ichwan of Sunan Kalijaga Islamic University, Jogjakarta.

A Malaysian Catholic newspaper will be allowed to continue publication after the government withdrew a controversial decision to cancel its publishing permit, the editor said Sunday.

The caning sentence imposed on part-time model Sari Dewi Shukarno still has not been carried out following syubahah (doubt) in the implementation.

Malaysia's weekly Catholic newspaper has lost its publishing permit for next year amid a long-running dispute over its use of the word "Allah", the editor said Thursday.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said his country wishes to join Malaysia in proving to the world that Islam is in tandem with modern democracy.

All ulama and mufti must obtain the permission of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) before they can give religious talks or sermons in the state.