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Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Shiites standing trial a form of 'fascism', say NGOs

A group of liberal NGOs have branded the trial of two Shiites in Perak for possessing Shiite religious materials as “fascism” and an “extreme” move.

They warned that if these elements are left unchecked, it could lead to other incidents such as burning books or punishing individuals of a different religion, race and culture.

“As such, we urge all parties that do not want their freedom to be impeded to unite against this fascist, extreme and totalitarian elements,” they said.

The statement was endorsed by Policy Research Institute (IKD), Jalan Telawi Art Community (KsJT) and the Pak Sako Academy.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published yesterday, a local Shiite said that Shiites’ rights in the country are currently worse than those of animals and non-Muslims.

“I am a citizen of this country. I have my rights in this country. I am a Muslim. My welfare as a Muslim should be secured. Non-Muslims in this country are also given their rights. I, too, should have my rights as a Muslim. But for me, there are no rights at all. Even animals in the country have rights,” Mohd Kamilzuhairi Abdul Aziz was quoted by WSJ as saying.

He said that the Islamic religious authorities often “provoke” Shiites in getting them to say that Shiites consider Sunni Muslims as enemies.

Dr Nur Azah Abdul Halim and Mohammad Ridzuan Yusof are scheduled to stand trial today at a Syariah court in Taiping for breaking the state fatwa (edict) banning Shiite religious materials by possessing Shiite materials in their possession.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

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