SHAH ALAM: Publisher Ezra Zaid has been freed by the Syariah Court of a charge of publishing a book that allegedly went against Islamic teachings.
Shariah subordinate court judge Shukran Yusof acquitted and discharged Ezra of the charge, although the Selangor sharie prosecutor had sought an order of a discharge not amounting to an acquittal last week.
Ezra contended that he should be given a full acquittal since the Court of Appeal had quashed a decision by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to charge him.
Ezra had claimed trial in 2013 for allegedly publishing Canadian author Irshad Manji’s book, “Allah, Liberty and Love”, and its translated version in Bahasa Melayu.
The book was banned in 2012 as it was deemed to have contravened the teachings of the Quran and hadith.
After going through written submissions from counsel Zulkifli Che Yong and sharie prosecutor Zamniazura Mohd Sarin, the court ordered Ezra to be acquitted.
However, it granted the sharie prosecutor’s application for Jais to forfeit the 180 copies of the books seized from Ezra.
Shukran said he agreed with the defence’s argument that the shariah charge had been declared unlawful by the Court of Appeal, with the decision affirmed by the Federal Court.
“Jais cannot take further action against the accused as the matter is now rendered academic,” the judge said.
Shukran also dismissed an application by the state government for a gag order on Ezra or his agents from commenting about the book case.
“Freedom of speech is guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. As long as the said statement is not defamatory, it is allowed,” he said.
After the proceedings, Ezra told reporters he was happy that his eight-year fight in the shariah court had come to an end.
“However, there is still one outstanding matter before the civil court for damages,” he said.
The Court of Appeal, in allowing Ezra to challenge his prosecution, also remitted his legal challenge back to the High Court for an assessment of damages.