KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — Non-Muslims should stop commenting on Islam and religious edicts meant for Muslims, former Inspector-General of Police Tun Hanif Omar said when warning that such practices can cause disunity in Malaysia.

In criticising non-Muslims for commenting on proclamations issued by the National Fatwa Council, Hanif observed that this had not happened in the past.

“If no knowledge about Islam, why make comments about Islam? If this is left alone, it can cause us to be divide. Our country is not strong enough yet, that should be our goal as the Malaysian nation.

“Last time, if the Islamic clerics issue a fatwa, other races do not touch it because it is a fatwa for Muslims. So why are there non-Muslims who want to comment about Islam,” the former head of police was quoted as saying by Malay-language daily Sinar Harian today.

Hanif was speaking at a press conference yesterday, where the deputy IGP Datuk Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said the police would probe a Malay woman for allegedly questioning on her Facebook page the powers of God, if reports were lodged.

On February 16, police told critics of an Islamic sermon read during Friday prayers that warned Muslims of Valentine’s Day to cease their mockery or face stern action.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said such detractors, especially non-Muslims, do not have the right to comment on Friday sermons for Muslims.

In its official Friday sermon available online, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) had on February 14 blamed the celebration of Valentine’s Day for causing social ills such as fraud, abortion, baby-dumping and alcohol consumption.

It said that the celebration of love weakens the Muslim identity especially among the young, and threatens the future of the Muslim community as a whole.

The global celebration was banned during the 71st meeting of the National Fatwa Council Committee for Islamic Affairs in 2005.

In a separate February 16 report by Berita Harian, Khalid said the police will use an anti-terrorism law against anyone who tries to cause religious tension.

Khalid advised Malaysians to exercise their freedom of expression prudently, warning that they would otherwise face the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) — a law which replaced the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960.

He also noted that statements that touched on religious and racial sensitivities could provoke anger and ultimately threaten national security.