Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria said they were simply called “non-Muslims” in everyday conversation, adding that the term “kafir” was acceptable as it was mentioned in the Quran and hadith, or sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad.

“Kafir means non-Muslim. It’s not a problem in Malaysia,” Harussani told FMT, adding that there is no alternative to the Arabic term.

“Kafir means one who rejects Islam.”

Indonesian Muslim scholar Ahmad Muntaha, who represents NU’s East Java chapter, had said that it was wrong for Muslims to address non-Muslims as “kafir” in any social context.

Muntaha said they could be referred to as “muwathin”, or citizens with the same rights and obligations as Muslim Indonesians.

Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman, who sparked a controversy not long ago when he used the term “kafir harbi” on non-Muslims who questioned moves to implement shariah, agreed with Harussani.

He said the word “kafir” had been in use for a long time, adding that one could differentiate non-Muslims by adding the word “dhimmi” (one who lives under an Islamic administration) or “harbi” (one who wages war against Muslims)

“It’s up to us. We are not obliged to use it,” he added.

Despite its widespread use in the Malay language, the word “kafir” is seen as derogatory.

NU’s call for Muslims to refrain from using the word is not new.

Last year, a similar suggestion was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa who said non-Muslims should not be classified as “dhimmi” and “harbi” as it was against the spirit of the constitution which recognises equal rights for all.