In a statement, the Selangor chapter of Ikram Malaysia said it rejected criticisms of the sermon, citing the fatwa declaring Shia Muslims as “deviants”.

“Selangor Ikram sees these criticisms as baseless and propaganda by certain quarters trying to defend and promote the deviant Shia teachings,” said the chapter’s president, Norazmi Mat Noh.

FMT recently reported that mosques in Selangor had been instructed to deliver a controversial sermon which critics have slammed as a fresh round of hate speech by authorities targetting religious minorities.

The sermon, prepared by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) ahead of an important Shia occasion next week, describes Shia Muslim beliefs and practices as “deviant”, “heinous”, “nonsense” and “nauseating”, and called on the people to report those who follow its practices.

Shia is the second-largest branch of Islam but is labelled deviant by Malaysia’s Islamic authorities, who have in the past raided private religious events of its adherents, the latest being a raid in Gombak last night where 23 people, including women and children, were arrested by Jais.

Norazmi called on Muslims, particularly those in Selangor, to hold firm to the practice of Sunnah Wal Jamaah and reject any form of Shia practices, including observing Ashura, a key Shia occasion.

“Selangor Ikram also urges the authorities to continue to monitor and take stringent action against anyone who tries to spread, practise and promote Shia teachings.”