Aswaja president labels Perlis mufti ‘foul-mouthed’

Aswaja president labels Perlis mufti ‘foul-mouthed’

Dr Zamihan says Dr Asri Zainal Abidin is uncivilised and impolite when he criticises others.

aswaja
PETALING JAYA: Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin has been labeled as uncivilised and impolite in the way he criticises others, the president of the Malaysian Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja), Dr Zamihan Mat Zin Al Ghari said.

He was commenting on Asri’s claim that the president of Aswaja had influenced the Johor Religious Council (MAIJ) to bar him and 15 others from giving speeches in the state.

Saying Asri’s allegation was baseless and impulsive, Zamihan explained that MAIJ was a structured, transparent and independent religious council that made its own decisions and did not entertain outside interference.

“I have never attempted to poison (influence) anyone when it comes to the issue of prohibiting speech. The allegation made by the Perlis Mufti is uncivilised considering his position.

“He should have looked for relevant facts first, and obtained information from legitimate sources before releasing such statements.

“Unfortunately, he is too impulsive and is always attacking those who are not of the Salafi school of thought or liberal mindset as his,” said Zamihan in a statement today.

He also claimed to be a target of attacks by Asri, who accused him of being pro-Shiite, following his criticisms against the Wahabi faction through his book, ‘Salafiah Wahabiah Satu Penilaian’.

“His allegations and slander have not stopped despite being given the title of Mufti Dato’ Dr, twice. Up to the point that the case was taken to court and resolved amicably.

“However, the foul-mouthed mufti has not learnt his lesson. Instead, he keeps thinking of himself as too smart and is egoistic on certain matters.

“He has also continuously accused me of being a pro-Shiite, ahbash, and a takfir extremist (to declare a person an apostate) when I discussed current akidah issues, mindsets, and security matters. Especially on the threat of the terrorist network of Islamic State.”

Zamihan said he was unafraid to debate Asri on an open platform, if doing so would stop the mufti from flinging more baseless accusations at him.

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