International Police's arrest warrant against top Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi could lead to extreme backlash, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang warned.

Interpol issued a 'red notice' to arrest the influential scholar who heads the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) on Dec 5 at the behest of the Egyptian government.

"Interpol’s red notice is a form of provocation towards Muslims worldwide and can invite an extreme reaction from certain quarters.

"PAS urges Western powers, especially the United States and its allies, to not play with fire by being masterminding this action which can trigger something dangerous," Hadi said in a statement.

Hadi (right) , who is vice head of the IUMS, said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must convene a meeting to urge for withdrawal of the arrest warrant issued on al-Qaradawi by the International Police (Interpol).

The Marang MP also urged all OIC member countries, Malaysia in particular, to grant political asylum to al-Qaradawi.

Among the charges faced by al-Qaradawi are agreement with, incitement and assistance to commit murder, helping prisoners to escape, arson, vandalism and theft.

Abdul Hadi said that the charges are slander, especially since the respected scholar is a source of reference worldwide.

“The charges against him are baseless and are not proven by any records."

Earlier, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had said that the Interpol was used as a “tool by a dictator” - Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi - in the issuing of the arrest warrant al-Qaradawi.

Both Pakatan Rakyat and BN played up claims of al-Qaradawi’s endorsement for Anwar and Najib as Malaysia’s prime minister in the lead up to the 13 th general election, in a bid to win over Muslim votes.

Anwar and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) have urged Interpol to withdraw the red notice on al-Qaradawi but Wisma Putra and the home ministry has been silent on the matter.