Perkasa lodges report against interfaith council

Malay rights group says statement linking Dr Zakir Naik to terrorism insults Islam

(FMT) – The Malay right-wing group Perkasa has lodged a police report against the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism for linking controversial preacher Zakir Naik to terrorist attacks in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Perkasa assistant secretary Muhammad Zahiruddin Zulkamar told FMT that the interfaith council’s actions were an attempt to smear Islam’s image.

“It seems like they are trying to destroy the unity among Malaysians, where the majority are Muslims. It appears they are fanning the issue purposely in a bid to slander Islam by linking it to terrorism.”

Muhammad Zahiruddin said he had lodged a report against the group at the Dang Wangi police station this evening

He dismissed the group’s claims that Zakir was espousing ideas that could influence youths to become terrorist. “MCCBCHST has no solid evidence to back its claims,” he said.

He had urged the police to investigate a “confusing” statement made by the interfaith group which he alleged had offended Muslims, when the council’s deputy president RS Mohan Shan had said Zakir was “feeding youths with ideas” that could lead to terrorism.

Mohan Shan had urged the government to rescind Zakir’s Maal Hijrah award and ban him from speaking in Malaysia again.

Zakir is in the spotlight after investigations revealed that two of the gunmen involved in the Dhaka attack were his followers. The attack claimed the lives of 20 people at a cafe.