Banned preacher wants a say

Haslin seeks meeting with Johor Islamic affairs committee chairman

PETALING JAYA: While declining to comment on the Johor Sultan’s decree banning him from preaching there, independent preacher Haslin Baharim (pic left) says he wants to meet the state’s Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman to “discuss the matter”.

Haslin, who is popularly known as Ustaz Bollywood, denies his sermons caused discord between Muslims and non-Muslims.

“I will try to meet Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim and present my case. It does not matter if I am still banned from giving ceramah in Johor... I need to explain and clear my name,” he said when contacted.

Abd Mutalip had announced the decree from Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar yesterday.

Apart from Haslin, the grand mufti of Zimbabwe Ismail Menk (pic right) was also banned from giving religious talks in Johor.

Abd Mutalip said the directive was issued following feedback and views that religious lectures by the duo could create social disharmony and uneasiness in multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia.

“The contents of the religious lectures made in the past by the two preachers are found to have elements which could stir racial disharmony,” said Abd Mutalip.

He said the Johor Islamic Religious Department would continue to monitor Islamic religious lectures in the state to ensure they did not have negative elements or views which could promote racial disharmony.

Last month, Sultan Ibrahim ordered the department to stop dealing with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), in response to remarks by its controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin.

Zamihan had criticised the Johor Ruler for his decision to stop a laundrette’s Muslims-only policy during a religious talk held at the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah mosque in Bukit Jelutong on Oct 8.

On Monday, Singapore banned Haslin and Ismail from entering and preaching in the republic due to their hardline teachings.

Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry (MHA) said the decision to bar them was made in consultation with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

MHA pointed out that Ismail is known to preach “segregationist and divisive teachings”, while Haslin had described non-Muslims as “deviant”.

The ministry also said that both men had been engaged to preach on a religious-themed cruise departing from Singapore on Nov 25 and returning on Nov 29.

“Such divisive views breed intolerance and exclusivist practices that will damage social harmony, and cause communities to drift apart. They are unacceptable in the context of Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious society.”

However, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said Malaysia would not be following Singapore’s move.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said they had not caused any tensions among Malaysia’s various religious or ethnic groups.