The Shah Alam Syariah High Court today set July 29 to mention the case of former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who is accused of teaching Islamic religion without accreditation last year.

Syarie judge Mohammad Khalid Shaii @ Shaee fixed the date after Mohd Asri's lawyer Jamal Mohd Lokman Sulaiman informed the court that he and his client did not know that their case had been set for today.

"My client is not here because we do not know the case is today. I only knew it by coincidence because I had another case here today," said Jamal.

Mohammad Khalid then set the date and advised the defence to make sure everthing was in order, including on the appointment of lawyers, to avoid problems when hearing of the case started.

On Nov 18, 2009, Dr Mohd Asri, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charge of teaching Islamic religion without accreditation at a house at Lorong 2C, Taman Sri Ukay, Ampang between 8.10pm and 9.45pm on Nov 1 last year.

"This is an old case, last year, but until now the hearing has not started," he added.

He was charged under Section 119 (1) of the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2003 which provides for a fine of not more than RM3,000 or a maximum jail term of two years or both upon conviction.

- Bernama