An assistant to popular preacher Azhar Idrus has denied it is the religious scholar who is depicted in the latest pornographic video clip that has gone viral on the Internet.

In his denial, Azhar's assistant Zulkifli Wahab said yesterday the posting of the sex video on the Internet was an attempt of smear the preacher and clerics in the country.

"No. Do not believe in it. It is a planned attack not only to smear Ustaz Azhar ( left ) but also the ulama in the country.

"There are those who are uneasy to see Islam being popular, with more and more people attending religious talks, resulting in such active propagation of Islam, which has become an in-thing now," Zulkifli was quoted as saying in Berita Harian today.

There are certain parties out to smear ulama and affect the belief of Muslims, he said.

Azhar, who uses humour to deliver religious guidance, has a huge following among young and old Muslims not only in the religious ceramah circuit but also on social media.

Zulkifli said despite the spread of the video, Azhar would continue to hold talks as normal.

The aide also called on Muslims not to believe such dirty tactics.