Faisal Tehrani is the pen name of Mohd Faizal Musa is a novelist from Malaysia. He was born on August 7, 1974 at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and grew up in Malacca

Malacca

Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...

, Malaysia. This novelist has won prizes and awards, including the prestigious Anugerah Seni Negara in 2006.

Early fiction

His first work of fiction, "Perempuan Politikus Melayu (2000) loosely centres on a rich politician who confiscated some farmers’ land without mercy. He was only 19 when he wrote it.

His second novel, Cinta Hari-Hari Rusuhan (2000) touched on the student movement in the 60's and the infamous Baling demonstration. Both early works are about human rights and oppression.

Faisal denied the Islamic extremism label when he spoke frankly to Bissme S. about his controversial image in the Malaysian Sun (July 31, 2008): "People who do not read my stuff will jump to that conclusion. Just because I write about Islam, people think I am an extremist. I feel I write more about human rights and oppression than Islam. Human rights is part of religion. When the film Fitna was shown, people wanted Malaysians to boycott products from Holland. I opposed the idea. I believed such boycott would get us no where. In fact, I said let us muhasabah (look within ourselves) and ask why this film-maker (Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders) created that film. Personally, I felt Fitna was depicting Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader. It is not me. I do not interpret the Quran like that .That guy (Osama) interpreted the Quran like that. Extremism is an act by certain groups. It is not related to Islam at all. Geert Wilders wrote Fitna because he is confused. Let us have a discussion about this and find ways to solve this."

In 2005, the Malaysian magazine 'Faces' named him as one of Malaysia's most outstanding individuals, describing his novel 1515 as one which proved that: "Faisal is one of the rare ideologists in Malay literature, while its sequel 1511H (Kombat) sees him merging occidentalism with the spirit of mystic chivalry."

Celebrated novel

In one of his most celebrated novel, Tuhan Manusia (2007), Tehrani ambitiously tackles the topic of apostasy head on. A politically charged issue in Muslim communities worldwide, but especially so in multi-racial Malaysia, Tuhan Manusia is unapologetic in its staunchly orthodox opposition against it, as well as against movements that call for 'radically liberal' (for lack of a clearer term) reinterpretations of Islam, which the novel considers the poisoned apple that tricks its victims into the ultimate sin of shirk.

The plot revolves around the life of Ali Taqi, a student, as he explores the realms of liberalism and pluralism. This is no hollow academic exercise for him. Rather, it is motivated by his hatred and disgust towards them following his brother's apostasy. Guided by his teachers and mentors, long (and not particularly novel-like) discussions ensue. Antagonistic characters exist in the form of Zehra, a schoolmate (and requisite love interest), and her father, Aris, a public figure associated with a liberal organisation, and they represent the opposite viewpoints in the story. The plot progresses as Ali grows more fervent in his opposition and activism, culminating in a public exchange between him and Aris, whom he holds responsible for his brother's actions.

As a novel, Tuhan Manusia is well-written in an eloquent and excellent Bahasa Melayu, that is to be expected from Faisal Tehrani, whose works are popular with both critics and readers. And as what suppose is a mark of a skilled writer, for such a topic laden with emotions, Faisal has avoided smothering the reader with sentiments. And despite this being a book where apostasy is central, fire and brimstone rarely surface. When it is dished out, it is classy and measured.

Instead, the book aims squarely at the reader's intellect, thoroughly researched and replete with reference numbers and quotations, saving us the grief of public executions and 'de-flowerings'. This rich novel is Faisal Tehrani's salvo in the apostasy debate. It may not solve the problem, but Tuhan Manusia does provide valuable insights into orthodox Islam's views towards the burning issues of apostasy, pluralism, liberalism and fundamentalism, which are invaluable to anyone who wishes to understand the hatred and vitriol that abound.

Stage play

In 2008, he staged Dua Jam Sebelum Sultan Alauddin Syahid Diracun, an adaptation of his children's novel Nama Beta Sultan Alauddin (2007), which is also his first script since being awarded Anugerah Seni Negara in 2006. Praised by critics, it is said to be a heavily political stage play, a rarity in the Malay theatre scene.

Educational background

Kolej Islam Kelang (Kelang Islamic College)

Bachelor of Syariah University of Malaya

University of Malaya

The University of Malaya is located on a campus near the centre of Kuala Lumpur, and is the oldest university in Malaysia. It was founded in 1905 as a public-funded tertiary institution...

Master in Literature Universiti Sains Malaysia

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public university with its main campus in Penang, Malaysia. There are three branch campuses: one in mainland Penang , one in Kelantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and a offshore collaboration with a university in India...

, University of Science, Malaysia

Phd in Comparative Literature UKM, National University of Malaysia

Awards

Awarded Anugerah Seni Negara by Malaysian Government in 2006.

Winner of Literature Award (young adult category) Utusan Malaysia in 2004 for his novel, Advencer Si Peniup Ney
Winner of Literature Award (young adult category) Utusan Malaysia in 2003 for his novel, 1511H Kombat
Winner of Literature Award (young adult category) Utusan Malaysia in 2002 for his novel, 1515
Winner of Literature Award Utusan Malaysia in 1998 for his short story, Cinta Gendang Kasturi
Winner of Prime Literature Award in 1996 for his short story, Perempuan Anggerik and many more.

His Published Works

• 1515
• 1511H Kombat
• Perempuan Politikus Melayu
• Detektif Indigo
• Advencer Si Peniup Ney
• Bedar Sukma Bisu
• Cinta Hari-Hari Rusuhan
• Ikan, Fugu, Lukisan dan Jimson
• Maaf Dari Sorga
• Rahsia Ummi
• Surat-Surat Perempuan Johor
• Tunggu Teduh Dulu
• Bila Tuhan Berbicara
• Tuhan Manusia
• Nama Beta Sultan Alauddin
• Manikam Kalbu
• Karya Nan Indah
• Karbala
• Detektif Indigo Kembali
• Saasatul Ibaad
• Sebongkah Batu di Kuala Berang