Despite sedition probe, preacher hits out at Jakim

Although a lawyer has been hauled up recently for sedition after criticising the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), a preacher has joined the fray against the religious authority.

Preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin, who is facing a separate sedition charge himself, said it was a misconception that criticising Jakim is tantamount to insulting Islam.

"There is a difference between Islam and a Islamic religious body. The views of an Islamic religious body does not necessarily represent Islam.

"This is because the views of an Islamic religious body can be right or wrong, but Islam is not wrong," he said in a statement today.

Lawyer Eric Paulsen (left) is being investigated for sedition after accusing Jakim of spreading extremism in Friday sermons.

Wan Ji noted that criticising Jakim - or the sermon text prepared by the religious authority - should not be likened to criticising Islam and is, in fact, a "healthy" practice.

He stressed that the only reference for Islam should be the Quran and hadiths, not religious authorities.

Wan Ji also criticised Jakim for giving Islam a bad name over a series of decisions made by the religious body.

'Giving Islam a bad name'

An example, he added, was Jakim's demand for action against dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof which led to her arrest for sedition.

Jakim had ruled that a video uploaded by Maznah of her celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs was insulting to Islam.

"Jakim's action differed from the teachings in the authentic hadith.

"Prophet Muhammad had described how the sins of an Israeli prostitute was forgiven because she gave water to a thirsty dog," he pointed out.

In another instance, he said Jakim had prohibited Muslims from touching dogs even though there are differing schools of thought on the matter.

Wan Ji (left) said Jakim's claim that Malaysia only subscribed to the Shafie school of thought also did not hold water, as the country's does not fully subscribe to it - such as in matters concerning zakat.

He added that Jakim should not be forcing Muslims to comply with the majority view of religious scholars, as they may eventually turn into a minority opinion - such as the initial banning of musical instruments.

Wan Ji was - in September last year - charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court with sedition for criticising the monarchy on the Internet.

Yesterday, the Shah Alam Sessions Court allowed him to challenge the constitutionality of his sedition charge at the High Court.