A dialogue between controversial Islamic scholar Kassim Ahmad and other religious leaders would be harmful because his views are difficult for others to accept, says National Fatwa Council chairperson Abd Shukor Husin.

He said Kassim has not been known to budge from his position, and that the issue should be resolved by state religious authorities instead, by gazetting and enforcing a 1986 fatwa banning his book, ‘ Hadith: Satu Penilaian Semula (Hadith: A review)’.

“We urge state religious authorities to take stern action and immediately enforce the fatwa because Islam is under pressure from all angles right now,” he was quoted as saying in Berita Harian today.

Meanwhile, the Malay-language daily also reports that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( right ) and his Perdana Foundation have had no involvement in the closed-door seminar where Kassim had recently made remarks slamming ulamas.

“We are still identifying the organiser of the closed-door seminar. Therefore, we urge anyone with proof or information regarding the seminar to turn it over to the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) to facilitate investigations and for action to be taken,” said Jawi director Paimuzi Yahya.

Kassim had told a seminar held over the last weekend, that Islam in Malaysia had been abused by a “ priesthood caste ” system, where ulamas are treated like gods and decide on everything in the lives of Muslims, among others.

The event was officiated by Mahathir, who has spoken up to defend Kassim from criticism of his statement.