Asri under watch as Putrajaya raises Wahhabi terror alert

Asri expressed surprise over the renewed links between Wahhabism and terrorism. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The National Security Council (NSC) has ordered religious authorities to monitor Wahhabism in the country, placing influential former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin under a watch list.


The Malaysian Insider understands that the NSC met with state muftis and religious agencies this morning to discuss the traditionalist Islamic practice that has been linked to terrorism.

“Today’s meeting focused solely on the issue of Wahhabism and links to terrorism. It was decided that those with links to this belief may head towards terrorism,” a source told The Malaysian Insider. 

The source added that all muftis have been asked to monitor developments regarding Wahhabism in their respective states and to take action if necessary.

Muftis contacted by The Malaysian Insider confirmed that such a meeting took place but refused to comment further.

The Malaysian Insider also understands that the meeting today listed several prominent leaders including several young Islamic scholars who joined Umno last year.

Although he did not join the senior partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, Asri, who has been linked to Wahhabism in the past, is said to wield considerable influence over young Muslim scholars.

When contacted by The Malaysian Insider, the Universiti Sains Malaysia professor said that he was shocked at the re-emergence of the issue, adding that it should have “calmed down by now.”

But he rejected outright the possibility that it had anything to do with political developments and attempts to influence perception in the aftermath of the July 9 Bersih rally that drew tens of thousands to the capital.

“I have contacted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom. He said he had no information but told me he will check,” he said.

One of Umno’s young ulama, Fathul Bari Mat Jahya said he would insist that his cohort of scholars be given a chance to explain to the NSC.

“I understand it is still being discussed. It is better to let things calm down and we hope that we are allowed to make an explanation to the NSC. The whole thing has arisen because we have not been allowed to explain,” he said.

Asri was first linked to Wahhabism and the terrorists group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) early last year, along with PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, former Perlis mentri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim dan Perlis Mufti Juanda Jaya.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Abdul Hadi and Shahidam Kassim were omitted from today’s list.