KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Penang Mufti Datuk Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor has been publicly criticised after warning Muslim parents against naming their children with words that purportedly have unpleasant meanings in Arabic.

Among the names Wan Salim had warned against was "Damia”, which he claimed means "source of blood flow”, but Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was among those who suggested that the name might not even be Arabic.

"Damia’s origin is not from an Arabic word. It might be from the Greek language,” Asri wrote on his official Facebook page.

He explained that in Arabic, the root word "dam” that means "blood” is not usually made into a noun.

"Therefore, I conclude that the name ‘Damia’ used worldwide is not from the Arabic root word. Assuming ‘Damia’ means filthy blood is just inaccurate.”

Asri explained that while parents should be aware of the meaning of names given to children, they should also refer to the original language used.

"Do not assume other people’s name as bad in the language that we understand when they would probably be referring to other languages,” he added.

Malay daily Sinar Harian also reported that Wan Salim was ridiculed by several parents after making his remark, with the backlash criticised by some Muslim scholars who defended the mufti.

"Religious institutions must be respected including those who helm them. Their role is to ensure that Islam is not defiled and polluted.

"In the same time, the pious are the inheritors of the Prophet. So respect their views,” said Shahrul Azalan Mohamed Zamri, representing the Council on Unofficial Meetings of Religious Ministers of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Previously, a copy of a letter dated November 7, 2016 from Wan Salim’s office became viral on social media after he advised the National Registration Department on a parent’s request to change their daughter’s name from "Nur Damiya Safiyya” to "Putri Nur Safiyya”.

Wan Salim explained himself to Sinar Harian in an earlier report that many parents give names with unpleasant meanings to their children, such as "Bahimah” which allegedly means "animal”, "Zani” (fornicator), and "Syarrul Bariyyah” (the most evil of creatures).