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Ramli Ibrahim puzzled at cancellation of talk on dance, race at varsity

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The Islamic centre of a local university ordered the cancellation without specifying the reasons.

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Ramli Ibrahim said he agreed to the talk as he wanted to expose Malay students to cultural inclusivity. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:
Classical dance legend Ramli Ibrahim has been left puzzled over a decision by an Islamic centre of a local university to cancel a talk at the very last minute.

The online talk, which would have seen Ramli talk about how dance transcended race, was to be held today.

According to an announcement by the organiser, they were told to cancel the event for “certain reasons”.

When contacted, Ramli said his office, which had been negotiating with the student body of the said university, had informed him of the cancellation yesterday evening.

He said besides the “certain reasons” given in the letter, no further explanation was provided.

Ramli, however, wasn’t surprised, as it wasn’t the first time he had endured such treatment.

He said it was a feature that has been “hovering” over his career of almost 20 years.

“There is always this controversy of a Malay man performing a Hindu dance.

“And some Islamic centres in local universities would filter (the) cultural policies of the institution,” he said, adding there was growing concern by the public over the ad-hoc religiosity of such bodies.

He went on to say that he had agreed to give a talk as he wanted to expose Malay students to cultural inclusivity, which he feels is relevant as Malaysia is a multicultural society.

FMT has contacted the university for comment and is withholding its name pending a response.

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