Call to prompty bar videos of religious preachers delivering exremist views

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry should immediately bar videos of religious preachers delivering extremist views through the social media.

Freelance religious speaker, Ustaz Wan Akashah Wan Abdul Hamid said this was to curb the spread of ideology that was in conflict with the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Sunni) teachings.

"Preaching through the social media is good, but it must be monitored and controlled.

"In this matter, the police should list the names of individuals preaching nonsense by manipulating Quranic teachings and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) to deliver extremist views through YouTube," he said.

Wan Akashah was responding to the suggestion by Datuk Ayob Khan MydinPitchay, chief assistant director of the Counter-Terrorism Division, Bukit Aman Special Branch, for the public not to believe the propaganda on YouTube, of preachers with extreme views to prevent its spread.

Wan Akashah said the religious authorities should also come forward to assist in detecting whether the religious speeches or talks delivered through the social media were based on true Islamic teachings or not.

He said this was also to screen the speakers so as to allow only the quality and qualified ones to preach (on Islam) in this country.

He urged the respective state religious departments to tighten enforcement on religious speakers to weed out the unqualified ones.

Wan Akashah also advised the public to find out about the background of religious speakers they listen to on the social media.

"Report to the religious office if you find unqualified religious preachers or teachers giving talks in your area.

"The community should also be careful before giving contributions to any organisers or speakers so as to prevent the spread of any ideology that is against the true teachings of Islam," he said.