Asri apologises to those who ‘misunderstood’ poem
Perlis mufti also hits out at Hindraf, labelling them an ‘extremist organisation’.
PETALING JAYA: Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has apologised to Hindus who “misunderstood” his controversial poem which he says wasn’t aimed at Hindus in general.
In a Facebook post, Asri, who has come under fire for the poem, said he had discussed it with his non-Muslim friends, many of whom had been agreeable to his views before this.
“They felt the poem could lead to a misunderstanding, more so when Hindraf plays its part,” he said, alluding to the Indian rights group.
Asri said he explained to his friends that the poem was aimed at the actions of the Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He added the word “mempertuhankan” which he used in his poem didn’t mean “to worship” as inferred by some.
“In Bahasa Melayu, among the meanings of ‘mempertuhankan’, is to excessively glorify.
“If someone says they ‘mempertuhankan’ their urges it means they will put their urges above everything else.”
This, he said, was happening in India where people were being tortured and killed over cows.
Asri also took aim at Hindraf, labelling it as an “extremist organisation” which is intent on creating tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the country.
He also urged non-Muslims who object to the presence of controversial preacher Zakir Naik to not be influenced by Hindraf but rather do their own homework to see if he encourages violence.
“If there is any clear proof, I’m ready to object to it (encouraging of violence).”
He added he himself didn’t always agree with Naik’s views but this was no excuse to accuse him of being a terrorist and to be deported.
“My commitment to justice transcends race and religion because this is the foremost principle in Islam.”
Recently, Asri’s poem caused a stir, especially within the Hindu community.
The poem had, among others, slammed a group who he said “worships cows” and practises the caste system, for attacking “our preacher”.
Asri didn’t name the preacher, but it came in the midst of protests by Hindu groups, including Hindraf, against the government’s protection of Naik, who is wanted by Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and for “promoting hatred”.
Asri’s poem was removed from his Facebook page yesterday following criticism and police reports lodged against the mufti, who had time and time again come to the defence of Naik.
Asri, however, stood by his poem, saying it had nothing to do with Naik, but was merely about the Modi-led Indian government’s policy, which he claimed had acted cruelly against the Muslims for slaughtering cows, an animal which is held sacred by the Hindus.
Perlis mufti slams ‘cow worshippers’ out to get ‘our preacher’
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram