Published on: Monday, November 13, 2006 |
Ipoh: Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria on Sunday revealed how he had received a short messaging service (SMS) from a woman claiming knowledge of an alleged baptism of a group of Muslims at a church here last Sunday involving national mariner Datuk Azhar Mansor.
Speaking to reporters at his residence here after an audience with Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak Sunday morning, Harussani said on Oct 21 he received the SMS from the woman claiming Azhar had informed her that he would come to Ipoh to perform the baptism of several Malays in church on the date specified.
"I asked whether what she claimed was true. She claimed it was true and that she had received another telephone call from Azhar saying they would be coming to Ipoh.
"Then, on the eve of Hari Raya, she came to my house with her husband and confirmed that the function would take place," he said.
The circulation of the SMS raised a controversy and almost sparked off inter-racial and inter-religious tension when a group of Muslims gathered at the compound of the church on that day to obtain verification of the alleged baptism.
Harussani said the woman, who had claimed that she had renounced Islam, had not contacted him since the incident last Sunday.
"I have also not contacted her. I understand that her telephone line has been disconnected. She had studied at the International Islamic University (IIU) and the Al-Azhar University," he said.
Harussani said he conveyed the matter to the State Government and the Special Branch.
He said on Nov 2, a meeting was held by the national-level committee on the Islamic Convention at the meeting room of the State Mosque here to discuss the agenda and strategy for the convention scheduled for Dec 23 and 24.
"At the meeting, I was asked to explain the need for and objective of the convention. I said the convention was solely to seek ways to strengthen the faith of Muslims which lately, according to information received, has been tainted," he said.
"I also touched on the SMS sent to me by the woman for the information of those at the meeting. I said we should not do anything until we have verified the matter," he said.
Harussani dismissed allegations spread by certain quarters that he had made a public announcement of the matter and that he found it strange for a group of Muslims to get angry with him over the alleged disclosure.
"I find it strange that there are Muslims who are angry with me when I am the mufti. The main task in my position is to safeguard the faith of Muslims, uphold the 'syariat' (Islamic law) without blemish. That is my responsibility.
"So, when news such as these emerge, it is necessary for me to act to contain them. That is my responsibility, similar to the responsibility of police in maintaining security. If there are people who have been angered, it is a mistake," he said.
Harussani had an audience with the sultan Sunday morning to explain the controversy over the circulation of the SMS.
Harussani said the Sultan asked him not to issue any statement at the moment.
"His Majesty advised me, for the moment, to remain silent but all of you (journalists) have come. How now?" he said.
Harussani said several senior police officers led by Perak Chief Police Officer Datuk Abdul Aziz Bulat met him at his home Saturday evening to obtain information on the incident. - Bernama
