“Some might carry out what is suggested in such writings,” said Ahmad El-Muhammady, adding that it would take only one person to spark a cycle of violence.
Ahmad, who teaches at International Islamic University Malaysia and works with the police in the rehabilitation of terrorist detainees, was commenting on a letter that appeared recently on a website operated by Thukul Cetak, a publisher whose catalogue includes leftist titles.
The letter urged a pro-government religious establishment to encourage the killing of Shia Muslims in Malaysia. It was addressed to Umno Youth member Fathul Bari, who is known for advocating tough action against the spread of Shia Islam.
The writer, who gave his name as Jefry Musa, praised the recent Saudi purchase of arms worth hundreds of billions of dollars from the United States, saying it was a step closer to annihilating the Shia Muslims through the kind of violence associated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
Ahmad described the letter as an example of malicious and provocative writing and said it could pose a threat to national security.
He said “a cycle of fear and violence” could start from just “one idea or person”.
The letter has been taken down from Thukulcetak.com since FMT highlighted it.
Ahmad also said such literature could lead to sectarian tension, although he acknowledged that Jefry could be exhibiting his frustration over the government’s failure to curb the spread of Shia teachings.
“I think the writer was implying that our government has not been investing enough efforts in curbing such teachings,” he said.
Putrajaya considers Shia Islam deviant, and there have been arrests of its adherents.
Last October, 50 Pakistani nationals, believed to be Shia Muslims, were arrested by the Selangor Islamic Department when they attended an event to mark Ashura, the anniversary of the matyrdom of Hussain, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
A member of the Shia community said Jefry’s satirical piece was done in bad taste. She told FMT an IS sympathiser might be ignorant enough to take what was written as a call to arms. “Nobody makes a joke about killing,” she said.
Ahmad said Shia Muslims in Malaysia might take such a letter seriously and might act in response.
Many members of the public have suggested that the letter was rather extreme.
In an open letter to FMT, Jefri acknowledged that he took a tough stand against the Shia, but he said his letter was meant to be a reminder of the diversity of traditions among the Malays.
He said he held no animosity against his critics. “In fact, I support them in criticising such writings,” he added.
In the letter, he wrote of the importance of tolerance and acceptance of diversity in curbing violence and upholding peace.
He added that people should not feel threatened by differences in ideologies and beliefs.