The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has been urged to make a blocking request of social sites allegedly threatening the faith of Muslims to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Johari Jailani said the MCMC could block sites spreading the syiah and anti-hadith (Prophet's sayings) beliefs upon the request of Jakim.

Johari said this was because Jakim was the authority on Islam, like the Home Ministry on internal security.

The MCMC is ready to cooperate with the police and other enforcement agencies to deter social media abuse that could divide Muslims, such as deviationist and anti-hadith beliefs," Johari told reporters after presenting school uniforms at SMK Manir in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

He was commenting on an uproar caused by controversial scholar Kassim Ahmad, who claimed that Islam in Malaysia is being abused, that  ulama (religious scholars) through a "priesthood caste" system, that Prophet Muhammad need not be glorified as he was merely a God's messenger, and hair is not part of women's aurat (parts that should be covered).

Johari said the Information Department and Broadcasting Department would intensify their campaigns to curtail Shiism and anti-hadith movements from gaining more ground.

- Bernama