Mujahid refused to comment further on the matter when met by reporters earlier today.

“Not me, you need to ask Jais,” he said after attending the launch of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia’s (Jakim) Halfest here.

FMT is attempting to get a response from Jais.

Yesterday, FMT reported that mosques in Selangor were instructed to deliver the controversial sermon in what critics have slammed as a fresh round of hate speech by authorities targeting religious minorities.

The sermon, prepared by Jais ahead of an important Shia occasion next week, describes Shia Muslim beliefs and practices as “deviant”, “heinous”, “nonsense” and “nauseating”.

A copy of the sermon sighted by FMT, among others, urges Muslims to be the “eyes and ears” of the authorities, adding that they should report anyone who follows Shia Islam practices.

Shia, with a substantial following in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and several parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan, is the second largest branch of Islam.

But its teachings are labelled as deviant by Malaysia’s Islamic authorities, who have in the past raided the private religious events of its adherents.

Fatwas have been issued in most states declaring Shia Muslims as “deviant”, while mosques in Selangor have for years included a prayer condemning the school of thought during Friday sermons.