Police Action Against Preacher May Fuel Martyr Effect Says Tajuddin

---

 


Academic Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi has cautioned against using police action against controversial Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth, arguing that it could turn him into a "martyr" in the eyes of his supporters.
"Using the police is a quick but ineffective solution. In fact, it will create a martyr effect. Even admonishment from the royals could have the same impact," he told Malaysiakini.
Instead, Tajuddin (above) believes the most effective response would be for muftis and Islamic scholars to publicly reject Zamri’s approach to dakwah (Islamic preaching).
"Islamic scholars such as Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti of Oxford University and Osman Bakar of International Islamic University Malaysia would be excellent voices to counter these preachers," he said.
"It would also help if muftis did the same, but I suspect most muftis probably support these preachers. Religious figures wield significant influence, and when they align themselves with political parties, their reach expands further," he added.
Tajuddin also questioned the silence of scholars and professors in Malaysia’s public universities.
"There are scholars and academics - funded by taxpayers - across 20 public universities. Where are their voices? These preachers cannot be stopped by police action alone," he emphasised.
Muslim preacher Zamri VinothCommenting on Zamri’s remarks, the architecture professor noted that there is no precedent for such preaching in Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
"The issue here is that the style of insulting other religions is widely accepted and even popular among some Muslims, whether in Malaysia or elsewhere. It is a sad reality, but it exists," he said.
Much ado about 3Rs
Zamri recently sparked a backlash by comparing kavadi bearers during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam to individuals who are possessed or intoxicated.
Multiple police reports have been lodged against him, with critics accusing him of belittling Hinduism - a charge he has faced in the past.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan also called for Zamri’s arrest under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), describing him as "brainless”.
The controversy highlights Malaysia’s ongoing struggle to manage interfaith tensions, despite the government's efforts to curb it through the "3R" (race, religion, and royalty) restrictions.
Critics argue that enforcement of the 3R ban has been inconsistent, with opposition figures and minority voices facing swifter action than certain religious hardliners. - Mkini

---