MAINPP to hold discussion with banned preachers on Monday

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) will hold a meeting with several preachers banned from holding lectures, sermons or knowledge gatherings in the state for not having teaching credentials, next Monday.

MAINPP chairman Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman who is also Deputy Chief Minister I said the meeting concerning the ban on 16 individuals will also involve several well-known preachers including Datuk Mohd Kazim Elias.

"We will explain why they are banned. I understand that some of the 16 individuals have already applied for (credentials) and some have already received them," he told reporters after attending the handing over ceremony of contributions to Penang Religious and Al-Quran Teachers here.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin said this when asked about the viral letter issued by six individuals namely Mohd Kazim, Datuk Ahmad Husam Baderudin, Sobri Arshad, Shahir Long, Aiman Subri and Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Rani seeking a discussion with MAINPP to resolve issues arising from the ban.

Apart from them MAINPP also banned Shaharudin Ibrahim, Ahmad Husam, Wan Hizam Abdullah Sabil, Yusni Mat Piah, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, Prof Madya Dr Muhamad Rozaimi Ramle, Salman Ali, Maulana Fakhrurrazi, Mohd Rizal Azizan, Halim Hassan and Dr Abdullah Yassin.

"Holding a class, lecture or religious ceremony without accreditation is a serious violation of the regulations. This is applicable not only in Penang but in all states. We must have this accreditation system, (but) some Ustaz (preachers) do not want to apply, it is a control system. If there is no control, anyone can do it," he said.

-- BERNAMA