Storm over arrest of religious scholar

The arrest of former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has not only stirred up a thunderstorm of condemnation and criticism but also provided an unprecedented show of unity.

Politicians from Barisan Nasional led by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and from Pakatan Rakyat stood as one adopting strong words to describe the manner in which the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) arrested the former mufti.

Mohd Asri (left) arrived at the Gombak Timur lower syariah court this morning to be greeted by close to 200 of his supporters.

However, Jais decided to postpone charging the enigmatic former Perlis mufti for the offence of delivering religious talks without authorisation.

If convicted under Section 119 of the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment, Mohd Asri is liable to face a maximum fine of RM3,000 or two years jail or both.

Below are the comments regarding his arrest:

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak

I question the motive behind the arrest as I found him (Mohd Asri) a truthful speaker whose talks were always backed by proof and dalil (based on the Holy Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).

I do not know the motive for the arrest. It was done by the state religious agency. It has nothing to do with the federal government.

Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor menteri besar

I encourage Jais to give reasonable explanations to the public about the incident as there are uncertainties and questions arising from the nature of the arrest. I know Jais will carry out a fair investigation and look at all angles to ensure that justice is served not only for the people but also for Mohd Asri.

I acknowledge the strong public sentiment that followed his arrest but Jais has powers which are independent of the Selangor government to implement the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment.

Khairy Jamaluddin, Umno Youth chief

I hope Mohd Asri will be given his right to counsel and justice as there are many questions over the manner of the arrest.

The circumstances surrounding his arrest are still unclear and there are many questions left unanswered. I would like to question why Jais is making the arrest now whereas in the past he had given talks, gave comments, written in blogs and became a columnist for a local daily.

I hope this is not selective persecution or as a result of provocation by certain parties who may not be comfortable with his views. Is it politically motivated to shift the focus of the rakyat from other issues?

Nasruddin Hassan, PAS Youth chief

I regret the manner in which Jais had arrested a religious scholar as they should have focused on efforts to curb vice which is still quite rampant in Selangor.

It is regrettable that Jais targetted a religious scholar who has a doctorate and a former mufti. The Jais action is another dark episode in the religious progress of the country.

Mohd Asri had in the past been accused of being engaged in Wahabi activities which he had vehemently denied.

I understand that sometimes Mohd Asri's methods created controversy. However, this controversy should have been resolved through religious debates.

I also had views contrary to Mohd Asri's but it does not mean he should not be allowed to preach.

If there is evidence that Mohd Asri was involved in deviant teachings then Jais should take action. However, PAS Youth feels the department has gone overboard if it is merely a matter that he (Mohd Asri) does not possess authorisation.

Jais could have called him for an interview and give him the authorisation and not arrest him or others for propagating the religion.

Zuraida Kamaruddin, Ampang MP from PKR

I was present at the bungalow when Mohd Asri was arrested. I also questioned the high-handed action by the Jais authorities, when they alleged that the former Perlis mufti was involved in wahabi activities.

I asked them for evidence to back their allegations. They were not able to show any and yet they arrested him.

Mohd Yusmadi Yusoff, Balik Pulau MP from PKR

I truly question the strong police presence when the arrest was made. There were 30 armed policemen who came to arrest a prominent Islamic scholar.

I feel the arrest is prosecution of his (Mohd Asri's) ideas and call on the religious authorities to review their action. I strongly condemn the arrest.

Zulkifli Nordin, Kulim MP from PKR

I am puzzled at Jais' reason for the arrest as he is a knowledgeable and respected person.

A mufti is someone who can give fatwa (edict) based on the existing laws. If a mufti is allowed to give an edict, why was he not allowed to give religious talk.

I do not know the yardstick used by Jais in taking such action. I am also reminded of Jais' action on its former mufti Ishak Baharom, when he was sacked from his post following pressure from former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mohd Asri was a lecturer in syariah law from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Is a lecturer in religious studies not allowed to give talks in mosques and surau.

Even PAS had invited Mohd Asri to join the Islamist party which was supported by its vice-president Mahfuz Omar. This shows that he is a well- known ulama who is accepted by society.

I urge Jais to drop the charge against Mohd Asri and openly apologise to him for the manner of his arrest.

Meanwhile, according to Bernama, current Perlis Mufti Dr Juanda Jaya not only hit out at Jais's action but also believed that it was the personal vendetta of certain quarters against Asri
to shame him.

He was disappointed that such an incident had happened to other individuals before and now to Asri, a respected Islamic scholar and also a point of reference for many Muslims seeking religious knowledge.

Juanda also regarded the ‘certification to teach Islam’ issue as an out-dated issue inherited from the colonial past, and that ‘it is a double-edged sword’ that can kill the master if wrongly used"’.

"The religious authorities concerned should have used a softer approach like giving advice and meeting face-to-face with people they are unhappy about, instead of using their power straight away," he said in a statement.

Juanda said it was time for the National Islamic Religious Affairs Council headed by the prime minister to meet and review the role and administration of the religious departments and agencies.

In KOTA BAHARU, Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, regarded Asri's arrest by Jais as excessive and should never have happened to a religious scholar and former mufti.

"My advice to Jais is not to repeat the incident as it can tarnish the image of Islam in Malaysia," he said.