A group of Shiite adherents today lodged a police report against former Selangor Islamic Department chief Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and Islamic preacher Abu Hassan Din for allegedly “intending to cause public unrest in Malaysia”.

NONE According to its representative Kamil Zuhairi Abdul Aziz, the two had had made “libellous” statements which were published in several newspapers and broadcast over television on Dec 15, following Jais’ arrest of several Shiites during a raid in Gombak that day.  

“Their statements had led society to hate the Shiite community and to lead to disharmony among our multiracial society which practices NONE freedom of speech,” said Kamil Zuhairi in his report today.

He was accompanied by 13 other Shiites who also signed the police report which was lodged at the Dang Wangi district police station this afternoon.

Mohammed Khusrin and Abu Hassan were alleged to have labelled the community, who call themselves Komuniti Pencinta Ahlul Bayt (Syiah), as dangerous and threatening to national safety.  

The group alleges that the two claimed that the Shiite community had “turned Muslims against Islam and the Sunni school of thought” by saying that their following was against the teachings of Islam.

Both were also said to have declared children born out marriages between Sunni and Shiite Muslims as “illegitimate”.

“The media should also stop publishing such provocative statements that are seditious, libellous and deride our community,” said Kamil Zuhairi in his report.

Sinar Harian and Berita Harian cited

The group also names Malay daily Sinar Harian which it said had spread lies on Dec 17 by stating that the group’s objective was “to use sex to gain followers”.  

Also mentioned was newspaper Berita Harian which he said published a false report stating that the group had “held a big feast to attract members”.

Kamil Zuhari, who was accompanied by legal counsel Mohd Haidar Mohd Hashim, later told Malaysiakini the group is “almost certain” of taking legal action against the individuals named in the police report.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) website, there are an estimated 2,000 people in the country who profess the minority Shiite branch of the Islamic faith, considered to be deviant in Malaysia.

The government considers only the Sunni denomination to be legal in Malaysia. Sunni Islam is the world’s largest branch of the religion, followed by Shiite Islam.