The Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Mosque committee today filed a police report against an independent Muslim preacher who allegedly likened the Maulidur Rasul celebration to Thaipusam during his talk recently.

The 47-second video of the talk was uploaded to YouTube early this month and went viral on social media.

The mosque's committee chairman, Baharudin Ibramsah, said the words uttered by the independent preacher, who hails from Jelutong, Penang, could cause confusion and tension among the state’s multi-religious society.

Speaking to reporters after lodging the police report, Baharudin also urged the Penang Islamic Religious Council to investigate whether the preacher had gained accreditation to give religious talks.

"The preacher is said to have always delivered religious talks at the Paya Terubong mosque, as well as at other mosques in the state. Even if he had the accreditation, we call on the authorities re-check his qualifications," he said.

- Bernama