The religious scholar who challenged Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin to an open debate now wants the matter to be conducted behind closed doors.

Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) chief Zamihan Mat Zin said this was to avoid arguments beyond the scope of the debate from arising.

"I have been advised by the inspector-general of police, that if the debate takes place it should be behind closed doors.

"We don't want there to be fights that will give a negative image of Islam," Zamihan said at a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said that attendance for the debate should be limited only to academicians, scholars and religious officers.

Asri and Zamihan have been trading barbs for over a week with the latter challenging the mufti to an open debate.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim decided to put an end to the fighting by offering to host the debate between the two on Feb 10.

While Asri accepted the proposal, Zamihan, however, said he could not make it on that date as he was scheduled to give a talk to prisoners.

Zamihan said he would be meeting with Shahidan's secretary tonight to discuss how the debate would be carried out.

He was speaking to reporters after a joint seminar by the police and Aswaja to train Aswaja members to enable them to educate the public on the dangers of Islamic State ideologies.

Present was IGP Khalid Abu Bakar.