Scholar Kassim Ahmad to be charged in court today for insulting Islam

(Bernama) – Former political and social activist Dr Kassim Ahmad (pic) will be charged at the Shariah Court in Putrajaya today for two offences under the Shariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.

Paimuzi Yahya, director of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), when contacted said the two offences were insulting Islam and violating the fatwa.

He said the first offence on Kassim was under Section 7 of the Shariah Criminal Act for allegedly uttering statements that might mislead Muslims, while the second offence is under Section 9 of the same act for violating fatwa or disrespecting religious authorities.

The charges against Kassim were over controversial statements he made at “The Thoughts of Kassim Ahmad: A Review“, a seminar recently organised by the Perdana Leadership Foundation, of which former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the patron.

Paimuzi confirmed the arrest was done at Kassim’s home in Taman Kulim Perdana, Kulim Golf Club, near Kulim, Kedah, at about 12.30pm yesterday.