While Syiah is considered heresy in Malaysia, there must be guidelines to uphold the freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

In saying this, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa there should be a guide to differentiate between those who merely practice the Syiah faith and those who not only practice the Syiah faith but also actively proselytise.

"There are two issues here, the first is that all Syiah beliefs are considered heresy.

"The second is the fatwa that states Malaysian Muslims are Sunni Muslims.

"But does that mean that just because someone is Syiah, we can take action? Or is it when one is a Syiah and is promoting Syiah? Those are two different things," Mujahid said to reporters today.

He was responding to the statement from Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor who had suggested that there be a review of the fatwa that states Syiah is heresy.

Social activist Chandra Muzaffar had called for the 1996 fatwa which recognised Syiah as heresy to be rescinded.

The fatwa also stated that any propagation of Islam other than Sunni Islam was forbidden and this included the publication, broadcast and propagation of any book, pamphlet, film, video and other forms of media.

However, Mujahid said Article 11 in the Federal Constitution clearly guaranteed freedom of religion even though it was subject to certain restrictions by Article 11(4).

"So what is needed are guidelines on the right to follow whatever faith and belief versus promoting (those beliefs)," Mujahid said.

The proposal to get rid of the fatwa forbidding the Syiah faith has seen criticisms from several prominent religious figures such as the Negeri Sembilan and Pahang mufti, the Perak deputy mufti and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais).