Malaysian Shias under severe pressure from promoting their faith

SUNGAI PETANI, Malaysia (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Kedah Islamic Religious Department (JAIK) has identified several individuals promoting Shia teachings which is banned in the state.Its director, Datuk Noh Dahya, said their presence was uncovered by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the state Imam Association.He claimed JAIK was gathering more information to produce a solid case against the Shia preachers to stop the spread of the deviant teachings."JAIK is serious about reprimanding individuals trying to mislead Muslims in Kedah and influencing them to embrace Shia. Although we have identified the Shia preachers, JAIK needs more information to act against them."The information received by JAIK is inadequate to prosecute the suspected individuals," he said after the appointment ceremony of 150 JAIK enforcement officers here yesterday.Noh, however, did not identify the number of suspects involved.He said JAIK was working closely with police and Jakim to stamp out Shia teachings in Kedah.The estimated 40,000 Shias in Malaysia are one of several Islamic sects under close watch by religious authorities, who crack down hard on so-called deviant groups. A 1989 Islamic law and a 1996 fatwa by Malaysia’s top Islamic clerics banned Shiism, declaring it a deviant ideology. Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, with civil courts running in parallel with Islamic courts where Muslim Malays can be tried on religious and moral charges./129