The International Islamic University Malaysia Academic Staff Association (ASA IIUM) is concerned about recent actions by religious authorities issuing notices to academics with Islamic studies qualifications for teaching Islam in public spaces. This development raises important issues about academic freedom, public access to qualified religious knowledge, and the treatment of credentialed scholars who are contributing responsibly to public discourse on Islam.
Academics with formal Islamic studies training are equipped to responsibly share religious knowledge. Restricting their ability to teach limits both their professional role and public access to reliable religious education. Such restrictions hinders informed discourse and could increase the risk of unqualified sources filling the knowledge gap. Academic contributions could prevent misconceptions and foster positive engagement with the public.
ASA IIUM urges religious authorities to work collaboratively with academic institutions to support the public teaching of Islam by qualified scholars. By working together, academia and religious authorities can ensure accessible and accurate dissemination of Islamic knowledge to the public. ASA IIUM calls for reconsideration of current measures, offering support to create frameworks that recognise academic qualifications and foster a constructive environment for Islamic education in Malaysia.
Press statement released by Academic Staff Association, International Islamic University Malaysia