'Zakir had Perlis mufti's permission to give ceramah'

Controversial preacher Zakir Naik gave a ceramah in Perlis recently after getting approval from the state mufti, despite a public speaking ban imposed in 2019.

Perlis Fatwa Committee member Rozaimi Ramle defended the decision as a matter under state purview.

“Religious affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the state government,” he said.

Rozaimi, who is also the Rector of the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin International Islamic University (Unisiraj), further expressed hope that this jurisdiction would be respected by all parties, particularly non-Muslims.

“I hope non-Muslim MPs do not interfere in Muslim affairs,” he said.

Zakir (above) was reported to have given the speech at an event in Kangar on Feb 2.

A government MP yesterday questioned whether this meant the public speaking ban on Zakir - imposed by the police in 2019 - was still in effect.

The ban was imposed after the preacher from India made controversial remarks that touched on the sensitivities of Hindu and Chinese Malaysians.

Rozaimi stated that Islamic religious affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the state government and are led by the sultan, except in certain states like the Federal Territories.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Rozaimi explained that the ceramah delivered by Zakir in Kangar recently had received approval from the Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin. - Mkini