Canadian Muslim preacher Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips has settled his defamation suit against Islamic Development Department (Jakim) senior assistant director Zamihan Md Zin, after the latter agreed to apologise and retract his statement on Facebook.

Zamihan had allegedly claimed that Bilal Philips was a supporter of international terrorism.

The consent judgment was recorded before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim in chambers today.

Bilal Philips' lawyer, Meor Amir Meor Omar Baki, said Zamihan admitted liability and would tender a public apology on his Facebook within two days.

"The defendant also has to retract the posting made immediately. We cannot disclose the terms of the settlement, including the amount of damages to be paid. There is also no order as to costs.

"The deposit (on security for costs) paid by Bilal Philips to the amount of RM30,000 is to be returned," he said.

Meor Amir added that the court also granted an injunction against Zamihan from uttering or publishing similar defamatory statements against the Canadian preacher.

Zamihan was represented by lawyer Fakhrul Azman Abu Hassan.

In his statement of claim last year, Bilal Philips (photo) had said that  Zamihan took to Facebook in November 2016 to call him a supporter of international terrorism.

The posting was made ahead of a religious event in Perlis, at which the Canadian preacher scheduled to speak on invitation from the state ruler.

Bilal Philips complained that the words describing him as a supporter of terrorism were false, defamatory and made without basis, given that he strives to promote peace and understanding of Islam, and rejects terrorism carried out in the name of religion.

'IS wants me dead'

"I have no connection to terrorism, and in fact, I criticised terrorism.

"In fact, Islamic State has made me a target. They are trying to kill me. It defies logic that if I am a promoter (of terrrorism) and they would want me killed," he said.

Bilal Philips said he is glad that the matter is resolved here in Malaysia, as he claims there would be little chance of him receiving the same kind of justice in another country.

"There is no chance to get this justice (elsewhere). I am glad this can be done here. I am a global figure and such misinformation hurts. This is bad publicity," he said.

Bilal Philips is the chancellor of the Islamic Online University, has written over 50 books on Islam and featured on several Islamic TV programmes, and was dubbed as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world in 2016.

Zamihan apologised for the posting.

"I had based my information on Bilal Philips said to be banned in several countries," he said.