KUALA LUMPUR – Moroccan influencer Abdellatif Ouisa has released a longer version of a video featuring him reciting Islamic verses at the iconic Batu Caves temple, which has sparked backlash from the Hindu community.
The new video, uploaded on YouTube earlier this evening, is titled “One verse banned Abdeen from entering Malaysia again!” and runs for eight minutes. The title was referring to Abdellatif’s Islamic moniker, Sheikh Abdeen.
It includes footage of Abdellatif reciting several Quranic verses in front of the Lord Muruga statue, complete with English subtitles.
Additionally, the video shows Abdellatif reciting verses at the top of the Batu Caves temple and features a brief interview with a Russian tourist named Kate.
Despite Kate expressing discomfort with speaking English and indicating she is not religious, Abdellatif sent her a Russian translation of the Quran online.
Previously, Abdellatif had shared a shorter version of his Batu Caves video on Instagram and TikTok. He also posted a video of himself reciting religious scripture in front of a statue at the Chin Swee Caves temple in Genting.
Following complaints by the civil society group Global Human Rights Federation, Abdellatif deleted the videos and issued an apology on TikTok.
He apologised to Malaysians, stating that his intention was not to offend Hindus but to create Islamic content at historical and aesthetically pleasing locations.
In 2020, the Dutch publication Alien Mag reported several accusations of sexual misconduct against Abdellatif by multiple women in the Netherlands.
Scoop attempted to contact Abdellatif for a comment.
It remains unclear whether the influencer is still in Malaysia. – May 28, 2024