Former mufti of Perlis, Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, has joined Malaysiakini as a columnist after terminating his column in the Mingguan Malaysia newspaper.

His weekly column, 'Tinta Hujah' will kick off in the Malay section of Malaysiakini on March 28.

NONE Asri ( left, wearing songkok ) wrote a column for Mingguan Malaysia, which is the weekend edition of the Utusan Malaysia , for the past four years.

However he ended his stint there last month reportedly due to differences with the paper over religious matters.

The current mufti of Perak, Harussani Zakaria, is now writing for Mingguan Malaysia.

Asri had put an end to his column after the Umno-run newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, rejected an article for his column on Feb 21.

The article, Ulama dimuliakan atau disucikan? ('slamic Scholars: revered or sanctified?') was a discussion on how to assess and consider the views of religious scholars.

Utusan Malaysia's rejection of the article was widely criticised by some of the Asri's close friends including former menteri besar of Perlis Shahidan Kassim, who claimed that newspaper had passed up the article fearing the disapproval of the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim).

Drawing a new audience

When contacted by Malaysiakini , Asri said he hoped his following and 'penyokong pembaharuan' will continue to read his new column and discuss religious issues without restrictions.

" Malaysiakini is suitable for my approach and it will definitely be a good venue to share open and independent thinking," he added.

"I believe that my readers now will not be obstructed by narrow-minded interests and I believe a new chapter of thought and discussion will open up."

Asri graduated in Arab language studies and Syariah at the University of Jordan before earning his masters in Islamic studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

He then completed his doctorate at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa with a thesis titled ‘Islamic revealed knowledge and heritage'.

Asri has triggered many controversies due to his progressive thinking which has upset conservatives.

Among his views which were condemned by some quarters were his criticism of Islamic authorities spying on couples having illicit sex and his critical remarks on ISA practices which he deemed were not line with Islam.

His troubles with the establishment peaked when he was arrested by the Selangor Islamic Authority last November for teaching without authorisation when he was giving a speech in house at Hulu Klang.