Although the bear in question has been removed from the site, a picture of the inscription was shared on Facebook.
The hadith, which was one that was reported by Bukhari and Muslim, means: “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
Penang Umno Youth Chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim called for police to act against the organisers who might have affected the sensitivities of Malay Muslims at large.
“I and my deputy Youth chief Jasmin Nordin rushed to the site after a member of the public complained that there was a bear with Jawi writing on its butt,” he said, referring to the Malay word for the Arabic script.
“When we arrived at the site to look at it, the statue had been removed. It is as if the organisers knew we were coming,” he said in a statement.
The bear in question is part of over 140 United Buddy Bears representing all countries and cities around the world. It is on a global tour to promote peace and harmony.
The statues are in the form of a standing bear, each 2m tall, with liveries representing countries and inspirational quotes.
Meanwhile, Rafizal said what had happened was despicable and the organisers should be brought to book for insulting Malays and Islam at large.
“For them to do this on National Day in full view of tourists is unacceptable.
“We wonder if their daring action is actually part of the pluralist religious doctrine of Penang.
“We hope something like this will never repeat again or else we will not hesitate to take action against the organisers.”