KUALA LUMPUR – The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has called on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution to ban individuals who touch on 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues from entering Malaysia.
In a statement today, its president S. Shashi Kumar, claimed that Moroccan influencer Abdellatif Ouisa’s behaviour of reciting Quranic verses in front of the Lord Muruga statue at Batu Caves and the Chin Swee Caves Temple in Genting Highlands was done deliberately to insult and mock religions other than Islam.
“As a tourist and visitor to Malaysia, he has shown no respect for our laws and people, especially in our multiracial society.
“What were his intentions in reciting Quranic verses at a non-Muslim place of worship? It was clearly intended to insult and mock non-Islamic religions,” he said.
In response to Abdellatif’s apology video, Shashi Kumar described his excuse as “very lame” and unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances.
“Let me ask this: if a non-Muslim had uttered such religious recitation content in front of a mosque and later apologised, do you think it would be forgiven with just an apology?” he asked.
The president of the civil society group also said that if the unity government is serious about addressing 3R issues, the Home Ministry should ban Abdellatif as a lesson for others to understand the sensitivity of this matter.
“Singapore has banned Zimbabwean preacher Ismail Menk, American Muslim preacher Yusuf Estes, and Malaysian preacher Ustaz Haslin Baharim from entering the country due to their ‘divisive teachings.’
“Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said that such teachings are ‘unacceptable’ and ‘contrary’ to the values of the country’s multiracial and multi-religious society.
Shashi Kumar said that Malaysia should follow in the footsteps of its neighbouring country in handling such cases.
Several police reports have been lodged against the Moroccan influencer, and more reports will be made after this, he added.
Yesterday, Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit said it had taken over investigations into a report lodged against him, citing 3R (race, religion, and royalty) sensitivities.
Following that, Malaysia Hindu Sangam president T. Ganesan told Scoop yesterday that a “condemnation notice” has been submitted to the Unity Ministry to take stern action on this case to ensure incidents like this do not happen here again.
Speaking to Scoop by phone earlier today, Abdellatif said certain verses were chosen because they were related to idols and idol worship, particularly when he recited them in front of Lord Muruga’s statue at Batu Caves.
He reiterated that his content and actions were not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings, and he had done similar things elsewhere without inviting public backlash. – May 26, 2024