Apologise To Perlis Mufti And All Muslims Bersatu Leader Tells Rayer

---

Bersatu supreme council member Dr Afif Bahardin has accused Jelutong MP RSN Rayer of stoking racial and religious tensions by repeatedly questioning the Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s presence in the country.
He demanded Rayer to retract his statements and apologise to Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin and all Muslims for being “insolent and insensitive” within 24 hours, or a police report will be lodged against him for allegedly disturbing national harmony.
Jelutong MP RSN Rayer (left) and Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul Abidin“Rayer’s actions to question Zakir’s presence and demand an explanation from the authorities is baseless and intended to cause controversy. It is as though he is deliberately playing with such sentiments for his personal political interests without regard for Malaysia’s guarantees of freedom of speech and religion.
“Zakir is in Malaysia in accordance with the law and has permission from state religious authorities (to preach), particularly in Perlis.
“The fact that he is still allowed to deliver a ceramah shows he poses no clear threat to national harmony,” Afif said in a statement last night.
“Rayer should respect this process and refrain from making statements as though the authorities have neglected their duties,” he added.
Banned in 2019, teaching in 2023
Zakir was banned from delivering speeches and from preaching in 2019 following controversial remarks about the Hindu and Chinese communities in Malaysia.
However, his reappearance at an event in Perlis on Feb 2 prompted Rayer to question whether the ban is still in effect.
It later emerged that the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council had granted Zakir credentials to teach Islam in October 2023.
Asri had also stated his preparedness to defend his position regarding Zakir.
Preacher Dr Zakir NaikIn a video on his official YouTube channel on Feb 6, Asri added that Rayer should not be questioning who the mufti invites for his events, just like how he does not question the DAP lawmaker what he smears on his forehead and why he does it.
ADSMore recently, Rayer questioned Asri whether he’d emulate a corn seller who had apologised for displaying a racist sign, by apologising for his remarks about the “vibuthi” (sacred ash) on Rayer’s forehead.
Asri denied insulting Hindus with his remarks and questioned Rayer for raising the issue two weeks after he had said it.
‘Rayer has no authority over Islam’
In defending Asri, Afif said Rayer should not question the mufti’s decision.
“Asri was merely conducting his duties as a religious leader by giving space for an internationally respected Islamic intellectual.
“Rayer has no authority to decide who can or cannot speak when it comes to Islam.
“It is malicious to link Zakir’s presence with racial and religious tensions. So far, there have been no incidents to prove that his ceramah disrupts national harmony,” he added. - Mkini

---