‘I Want to Touch a Dog’ organiser says sorry over furore

Syed Azmi Alhabshi, whose event featuring dogs last Sunday angered Muslim authorities, at the press conference to day to apologise over the furore caused. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 25, 2014.

Syed Azmi Alhabshi today apologised for the uproar caused by his "I Want to Touch a Dog" event last Sunday, saying he did not intend to insult Muslims but only wanted educate society to overcome their fear of dogs.

Reading from a press statement, Syed Azmi said the event was meant to be educational and not to deviate Muslims from their faith or try to change the Islamic rules.

"I admit that there are weaknesses in the programme. I would like to apologise and I had no intention to cause trouble to anyone," he told a room packed with reporters at the Seri Selangor Gold Club in Sri Damansara today.

"We explained it all throughout the programme. I would like to stress here that it was an educational programme and the 'sertu' ritual (cleansing) was also explained and also performed," he said, referring to the Muslim ritual after one touches a dog.

"I had no intention to deviate the faith and change Islamic teachings or to ridicule Islamic scholars, or to promote liberalism," Syed Azmi added.

The social activist, who was accompanied by lawyer Syahredzan Johan, left abruptly after reading the statement, citing fears for his safety.

Syed Azmi said the event was not held to encourage Muslim ownership of dogs, and said this had been repeatedly stressed in the publicity for the event as well as on its Facebook page since September 11.

Lawyer Syahredzan Johan (left) with Haryati Ismail, one of those behind the 'I Want to Touch a Dog' event, who accompanied social activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi, at the press conference today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 25, 2014.On the receiving end of death threats, Syed Azmi has also lodged two reports, one with the police and another with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on October 22.

Syahredzan said Syed Azmi had at one point received 2,000 messages on his Whatsapp mobile messaging account, as well as threats through phone calls and social media.

"Some of the threats received said they want to break his bones. Others said they were going to kill him if they see him on the street and many more," he added.

MORE TO COME

- TMI