I APPLAUD the actions taken by both the Johor and Selangor sultans against “loose cannon” preacher Zamihan Mat Zain.

It has been somewhat a prolonged matter, where so-called “ustaz” or preachers have been given a free licence to preach and sow religious and racial hatred from the pulpit without repercussions.

The Johor sultan has instructed the state religious authority to stop dealing with federal religious authority Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), and the Selangor sultan has instructed the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) to revoke Zamihan’s preaching credentials.

More often than not, such religious matters or issues in Malaysia are not properly dealt with. Most of the time, people who voice their disagreement with the preaching of religious hatred and the “holier than-thou” attitude are shut down and given various labels with ugly connotations, such as “liberals”, “atheists”, “anti-Islam” and “pro-kafir”.

In this case, only after the interference of the rulers can rational voices speak out without fear of extreme backlash from “holier-than-thou” preachers.

A recent issue also comes to mind – the debacle of RUU355, which became very controversial among Malaysians due to the manner in which it was handled.

An attempt to amend RUU355 was brought to Parliament through a private member’s bill by PAS president and Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang.

It was under the impression that this move was fully backed by the ruling Umno-Barisan Nasional federal government as shown by the federal minister Jamil Khir Baharom and senior Umno ministers, who were also seen at the forefront in “championing” RUU355.

Numerous public rallies were organised and many religious institutions, such as mosques, were used to “educate” the public on the beauty of shariah implementation in the country.

What was more alarming was that the “holier than thou” preachers were sending messages to Muslims with a “black or white” ultimatum: either you accept RUU355 or you are anti-Islam.

Such “loose cannon” preachers were given free passes to preach in mosques and during Friday sermons, where the khatibs convey that people are good Muslims only if they accepted RUU355.

Blatantly heard in the sermons, from the pulpit, were words such as:

“Either you support the enactment or you go to hell.”

“Those MPs who defy RUU355 are an enemy to Islam.”

“RUU355 is the only road to shariah implementation in Malaysia.”

This accept-it-or-else preaching is a form of coercion on the belief of Muslims in the country, making people scared that they would be labelled and perceived as a betrayer of Islam if they opposed such an enactment.

Consequently, this sort of preaching has kept many rational-thinking and moderate Muslims feeling like they are being left behind and labelled as anti-Islam if they do not support the stance of such preachers.

Thus, this has painted an idea that they have no place as they do not agree to the “holier than thou” messages and ideas being indoctrinated.

These preachers include none other than Zamihan himself.

For years, he has been spreading “hatred” in many mosques and at many events in the country.

It is as if he has been protected by the higher authorities, making him immune and allowing him to preach hatred freely without any fear.

He has been employed by Jakim for so many years, and at one point, was even attached to the internal security of the country under Bukit Aman, where he “advised” our own top police officers on the activities of Muslim extremists in the country.

Now, let us take a look at the role of religious authorities in the country, particularly, the role of mosques.

Is it right to allow such preachers to preach hate during sermons or regular kulliyah?

Should there be a place in the mosque where politics of disparity and divide is allowed, as long as it benefits certain parties for their own advantage?

This includes the question of political parties being given full power to misuse the mosque for their own political goals.

In finding these answers, allow me to share the view of the great Muslim scholar Rachid Ghanoushi, who opposed the abuse and misuse of religious institutions, such as the mosque, that are controlled to further one’s political agenda.

In doing so, vested messages are put forward in mosques filled not with unity, but with hatred and divide.

For Ghanoushi, there is no place for preachers and political parties to preach such hatred, and abuse the sanctity of the mosque for their own political benefit.

Looking back, over the past years, our country has produced thousands upon thousands of young graduates from the Middle East, either from Al-Azhar in Cairo or Madinah in Saudi Arabia, or in countries such as Jordan, Yemen and Pakistan.

They graduate and come back with the title of “ustaz”, “sheikh” or “Tuan Guru”.

What will happen to the country if Zamihan’s messages and the preaching of his thinking become the mainstream preaching of such graduates?

Our beloved country is in need of soul-searching to protect the sanctity of Islam and Muslims. Islam is a religion of love, peace and harmony to society, including non-Muslims.

Islam does not belong to anyone, whether a particular individual, party or religious body.

Islam is holistic to the whole society, and everyone has the same responsibility to spread the positive teachings of Islam, regardless of differences in belief and background.

Islam ensures the rights of believers of different religions and beliefs. It does not discriminate, and allows everyone to live in a fair and just society.

I hope the Malay rulers can continue championing moderation and tolerance in this multicultural and multi-religious country.

I look forward to other voices of moderation in a position of power coming out and saying “enough is enough!”, as there is no place for preachers of hatred like Zamihan and his kind, who have tainted the image of Islam and brought disgrace to the teachings of Islam.

To all peace-loving Malaysians, let us stand up and unite in fighting these skewed preachers, whose thinking is tainted, and may someday, lead to takfiri teachings and sow divide in our beloved country.

Ampun Tuanku. – October 19, 2017.

* Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad is Batu Burok assemblyman.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.