Jakim to meet celebrity preachers following sex crime reports

Jakim to meet celebrity preachers following sex crime reports

The meeting is to preserve the good name of Islam and of religious groups, says deputy minister.

A preacher, Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohammad Shaiful, 24, has been accused of unnatural sex and attempted molestation. (Bernama pic)
KOTA BHARU:
A meeting between the Islamic development department, Jakim, and “celebrity” preachers will be held at the end of this month to preserve the good name of religious groups and Islam itself, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

He said the meeting would also convey a message of harmony from the government.

Marzuk said several matters that had been sensationalised recently had given a bad image to Islam even though only a few people were involved.

“We expect to gather this group of celebrity preachers at the end of December,” he said.

Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

He had been asked to comment on a participant in an Islamic missionary reality television programme and various allegations of sexual misconduct.

“We know that even if such a case is an isolated case, but when it involves a preacher, it will definitely give a bad image, especially to Islam,” he said.

On Thursday, preacher Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohammad Shaiful, 24, known as Da’i Syed pleaded not guilty at separate courts in Petaling Jaya to charges of committing unnatural sex and using criminal force on a private college student with intent to outrage her modesty two months ago.

Marzuk, who is MP for Pengkalan Chepa, was here to present contributions to 250 fishermen in the Kijang state seat who have been unable to go out to sea during the monsoon season. He said fishermen and farmers in Panchor and Chempaka constituencies would also receive assistance.

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