Ustaz Syakir Nasoha
Oct 13 2021
PETALING JAYA – In a statement dated Oct 4, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) called for stern action against Ustaz Syakir Nasoha for his controversial and allegedly hatred-inciting sermons broadcast over social media.
In a one-minute TikTok video released on Oct 2, Syakir claimed that in the “last days on earth” the enemies of Islam will swarm Muslims like how crowds of people swarm a tray of food, and this is how the “non-believers or kafir (infidels) are swarming Muslims today”. He also says Buddhists and Hindus are bombing mosques and killing Muslims in Thailand, India, and Pakistan. As reported by The Vibes, the viral video was taken from a recording titled Ustaz Syakir Nasoha – Nak Syurga Tapi Takut Nak Berjuang posted on March 16 by Ar-Rahman TV. Syakir is accused of instigating a breach of peace and causing harm to Malaysians after videos of his sermon at the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq mosque in Kedah, uploaded in December 2017, also resurfaced.
The MCCBCHST said in their statement that they were deeply perturbed at the extremist, racist and hatred-filled video clips by the Kedah-based preacher against other religions. The videos are defamatory of Buddhism, Hinduism, and people of the Dayak faith, as well as of other non-Muslim faiths and religions in the country.
“The videos aim at sowing hatred and inciting Muslims against Hindus, Buddhists and the Dayak Community, as well as against other nonMuslim religions. This is equivalent to instigating harm against peaceful Malaysians. The ustaz is a threat to the peaceful and harmonious co-existence of Malaysians.”
The inter-religious group stated that Syakir’s words, intended to cause hatred of other religions, are an offence under Section 298A of the Penal Code. Section 298A relates to those who cause disharmony, disunity, feelings of enmity, hatred, ill will or prejudice that affect the maintenance of harmony, or unity, on grounds of religion. The ustaz has also committed an offence under S.233(1) of the Communication and Multimedia Act – spreading ill-will amongst different faiths in Malaysia.
The MCCBCHST urged the Prime Minister and relevant authorities to take stern action against Syakir in accordance with the law since he has clearly breached Malaysian laws. “His utterances are likely to cause ill-will and disunity amongst the different faiths in Malaysia. As an ustaz is held in high esteem by the Muslim community, his statements tend to incite Muslims against non-Muslims, thus causing harm. Such incitements by any person should be condemned by all and the person must be severely dealt with so that it is a lesson to all,” said the statement. – Herald Malaysia
