Malaysian activists protest book bans

A Malaysian human rights group, Suaram, has protested the banning by Malaysia's Internal Security Ministry of 52 books. Most are academic works discussing religion, other banned works discuss race, illegal drugs, and sex. Among the banned works are: The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam by Karen Armstrong, What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam by John Esposito, Cannabis Culture, Weed World, and Classic Nude Photography Techniques and Images. The organization said:

"The ban of academic works by the ministry is a death knell to academic freedom in Malaysia. More importantly, the ban of these books violates the freedom of expression of the authors and the right to receive and impart information freely of the general public."