KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Two controversial preachers banned by Singapore have now been prohibited from giving religious talks in Johor.
According to the Berita Harian site, Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Mutalip Abdul Rahim said the Sultan of Johor decreed today that Zimbabwean Mufti Ismail Menk and Malaysian Haslin Baharim not be allowed to preach in the state.
“The content of their previous speeches appear to promote racial and religious unrest, which disrupts harmony between the races.
“The Johor Islamic Religious Department will continue monitoring religious talks in this state to ensure there are no elements or views that encourages racial disunity from being delivered,” he was quoted as saying in the report.
Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry announced this week that Menk, known as Mufti Menk, and Haslin, nicknamed Ustaz Bollywood, have been barred from entering the republic purportedly for having expressed views that promote disharmony between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Singaporean daily TODAY reported that both preachers were listed as speakers for an “Islamic Cruise” offered by a Selangor-based travel agency for a “spiritual voyage” from Singapore to
Aceh in Indonesia on November 25.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, said there was no cause to ban the two preachers, noting they have not violated any laws or promoted views detrimental to national harmony.
