Two Shiites are set to face trial in the Perak Syariah Court tomorrow, as the government continues its crackdown on Shiism.

The Wall Steet Journal (WSJ) reported that Nur Azah Abdul Halim, 41, and Mohammad Ridzuan Yusof, 31, have been charged with possessing books pertaining to Shiite teachings.

According to the authorities, this is a violation of the Perak Fatwa Council's edict last year banning all such materials.

Nur Azah is a homeopathic practitioner while Mohammad Ridzuan is a restaurant owner, the report states.

"We are treated very unfairly. We are treated like criminals just because we want to follow (Shiite) Islam," Nur Azah was quoted as saying.

NONEPerak mufti Harussani Zakaria (left) was quoted as saying that the duo cannot keep books that are "banned".

Four others have reportedly been charged with Perak with similar offences, and one in Pahang.

A Muslim who is convicted of possessing non-Sunni religious material can be jailed up to two years or fined RM 1,000.

Eleven of the country's 14 states have adopted the National Fatwa Council's 1996 edict banning books that promote Shiism.

In September, Jamil Khir Baharom, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said that 16 people have been arrested this year for propagating Shiism.