Past Events

31 Oct’15 – Forum on “Maqasid Syariah in a Constitutional Democracy”

maqasid syariah

Penang Institute, the public policy think tank of the Penang state government is proud to co-host the upcoming forum with G25 entitled “Maqasid Syariah in a Constitutional Democracy”.

Date: 31 October 2015 -Saturday
Time: 9am – 5pm (Registration at 8.30am)
Venue: Level 6, Olive Tree Hotel, Penang

On the 8th of December 2014, a group of 25 eminent Malays wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, citing a need for the review of the Syariah Criminal Offense (SCO) Laws, to ensure that these laws do not encroach on the Federal Constitution. The open letter has generated informed and insightful debates among the media and the people.

G25 is actively working towards an establishment of a consultative committee, progressing towards rational discussion and conflict resolution. Together with Penang Institute, this forum aims at contributing to the education and understanding of the dual legal system in the Federal Constitution with regards to syariah law and civil law.

Programme

8.30am : Registration
9.00am : Welcoming Remarks by YB Zairil Khir Johari, Executive Director of Penang Institute
9.10am  : Introductory Remarks for G25 by Tan Sri Sheriff Kassim
9.20am : Panel Session 1- The Federal Constitution and Syariah Law
                 Moderator: Dato’Noor Farida Ariffin
                 Topic 1: Jurisdictional Overlapping between Syariah Law and Civil Law (Mr Nizam Bashir)
                 Topic 2: Islam and Human Rights in the Federal Constitution (Mr Lim Heng Seng)
                 Topic 3: Trends in Judicial Review of Syariah Matters (Speaker – TBC)
11.00am: Break
11.20am: Panel Session 2 – Issues of conflict in a plural legal system
                 Moderator: Dato’ Anwar Fazal
                 Topic 1: Islamic Revivalism and its Socio-Political Impact (Dr Nawab Osman)
                 Topic 2: Islamisation Policy and Its Impact at the Governance Level (Dr Maznah Mohamad)
                 Topic 3: Multiculturalism and Political Islam (Dr Syed Farid Alatas)
1.00pm  : Address by YAB Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Lim Guan Eng
1.30pm  : Lunch
2.30pm  : Panel Session 3 – Maqasid Syariah and The Well-being of Malaysians
                  Moderator: Dr. Wong Chin Huat
                  Topic 1: Maqasid Syariah – A vision of well-being for Muslims? (Dr Mazlee Malik)
                  Topic 2: Can Maqasid Syariah advance justice? (Dr. Mohd. Iqbal Abdul Wahab)
                  Topic 3: Will Maqasid Syariah curb freedom? (Mr Abdul Naser Tun Abdul Rahman)
                  Discussant: Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad
4.30pm  : Closing Remarks by Dato’ Dr Sharom Ahmat
4.40pm  : Tea & End

Admission is FREE and registration is on a first come first serve basis. Kindly register your interest here, or below to secure your seat.

For further enquiries, please contact the secretariat at 04- 228 3306 or email to secretariat@penanginstitute.org