Second wave of Syiah movement detected

The second wave of the movement to spread Syiah teachings, which has been linked to extremists, has been detected to be active of late, Prime Minister's Religious Advisor Tan Sri Abdullah Md Zin said.

He said those involved were using various methods to spread Syiah teaching among Muslims in the country.

"As such, Muslims are reminded to be wary of the second wave of the movement even though their activities are currently under control," he said.

Abdullah said the Muslim community must ensure that they would not be influenced by the movement as during the first wave.

He said this to reporters after opening the International Seminar on Wasatiyyah Approach in Dakwah and Islamic Leadership 2014 at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) here on Tuesday.

Also present were USIM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail and Board of Directors chairman Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Shukor Husin.

The Syiah movement had not only targeted the Muslims at the grassroots, but also at university level to influence lecturers and students.

Abdullah said he had met with the Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia to explain that the teachings practiced by the Syiah movement contravened to the practice adopted by the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah or the Muslim community in the country.

He said institutions of higher learning also had a big role to play in preventing the spread of the Syiah teachings among the community.

"We have to explain about this (Syiah) problem before it gets worse.

"It spreads so quickly," he added.