KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — Government Islamic cleric Zamihan Mat Zin today maintained his allegation that the Wahhabi teachings have contributed to terrorist activities, in a repeat of what he said in a controversial security briefing recently.
The deputy director of the government’s Islamic training institute, ILIM, however denied naming former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, his successor Dr Juanda Jaya, former Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang as having terrorist links.
“My presentation was focussed on extremism in public institution of higher learning. I did not mention their names, I did not accuse Jemmah Islah Malaysia (JIM) of involvement in terrorist activities,” Zamihan told The Malaysian Insider.
“But I did say terrorism is a result of extreme teachings of Wahhabism. If they are not involved they should not have overreacted,” he said.
Wahhabism known locally as Sunnah Perlis, advocates purging Islam of practices that did not exist during the time of Prophet Mohamad.
Zamihan said his experience in rehabilitation of ISA detainees allegedly involved in Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) showed that they were recruited through Wahhabism.
“The detainees, Yazid Sufaat, Dr Abdullah Daud, they know me. My field work showed that they joined JI after being influenced by Wahhabi teachings,” he said.
Yazid, who was known for his ties with al-Qaeda, was released in late 2008 while Abdullah, a former UTM lecturer, was released from detention last year.
Zamihan said the only time Asri’s name was mentioned during the briefing was when the book Bid’ah: Istilah yang disalahfahami (Innovation: The misunderstood term) was discussed with the participants.
He claimed that the book’s content is consistent with Wahhabi teachings.
“He wrote the book. He should be opened to criticism,” said Zamihan.
“And I said if the Wahhabis want to form an Islamic state according to their interpretation, we have to stop them,” he added.
Zamihan said he was not trying to influence the authorities through the briefing.
“I was only invited to give the briefing and I willingly did so,” he added.
Zamihan said the briefing was also attended by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and more than 100 public universities senior officials.
The briefing was held following reports of JI recruitment drive in local universities.
Early this year, police arrested 10 men, claiming they were members of JI and were allegedly plotting to blow up non-Muslims houses of worship.
All of them have been deported, except a Malaysian, who has been banished to Petaling Jaya.
The deputy director of the government’s Islamic training institute, ILIM, however denied naming former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, his successor Dr Juanda Jaya, former Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang as having terrorist links.
“My presentation was focussed on extremism in public institution of higher learning. I did not mention their names, I did not accuse Jemmah Islah Malaysia (JIM) of involvement in terrorist activities,” Zamihan told The Malaysian Insider.
“But I did say terrorism is a result of extreme teachings of Wahhabism. If they are not involved they should not have overreacted,” he said.
Wahhabism known locally as Sunnah Perlis, advocates purging Islam of practices that did not exist during the time of Prophet Mohamad.
Zamihan said his experience in rehabilitation of ISA detainees allegedly involved in Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) showed that they were recruited through Wahhabism.
“The detainees, Yazid Sufaat, Dr Abdullah Daud, they know me. My field work showed that they joined JI after being influenced by Wahhabi teachings,” he said.
Yazid, who was known for his ties with al-Qaeda, was released in late 2008 while Abdullah, a former UTM lecturer, was released from detention last year.
Zamihan said the only time Asri’s name was mentioned during the briefing was when the book Bid’ah: Istilah yang disalahfahami (Innovation: The misunderstood term) was discussed with the participants.
He claimed that the book’s content is consistent with Wahhabi teachings.
“He wrote the book. He should be opened to criticism,” said Zamihan.
“And I said if the Wahhabis want to form an Islamic state according to their interpretation, we have to stop them,” he added.
Zamihan said he was not trying to influence the authorities through the briefing.
“I was only invited to give the briefing and I willingly did so,” he added.
Zamihan said the briefing was also attended by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and more than 100 public universities senior officials.
The briefing was held following reports of JI recruitment drive in local universities.
Early this year, police arrested 10 men, claiming they were members of JI and were allegedly plotting to blow up non-Muslims houses of worship.
All of them have been deported, except a Malaysian, who has been banished to Petaling Jaya.
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