Asri: From Mufti To Detainee.

UPDATE: 11.37 pm 2nd November 2009

The reasons? Please read Walski.

**********************************************

Asri arrested? Religious prosecution or persecution? Religion of politics or politics of religion?

What ever it is I am sure we will be hearing more about/from my favorite former mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

I suspect the government had to give him a post after he returned from Wales. After about a year doing research on Islam, Asri was appointed by the government as the head of Yayasan Dakwah Islam Malaysia (Yadim).

He is also being courted by PAS and is said to be considering the proposition. My personal view is that he should remain non-partisan and continue to comment on Islamic issues without fear or favor. Yet, he would make a good new face for PAS. On looks alone, he would be better than the current face of PAS, the (in)famous neanderthal:















*********************************************************
Former Perlis Mufti Detained
November 02, 2009 01:28 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was arrested while giving a religious talk at a house in Taman Sri Ukay, Hulu Klang, early Monday.

According to witnesses, Asri was arrested at 12.10am by police and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) officers and was then taken to the Hulu Klang police station.

The talk was attended by about 100 people, including Ampang member of parliament Zuraida Kamaruddin and Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib.

Ampang district police chief ACP Abdul Jalil Hassan when contacted said police were only assisting JAIS in the operation and that he did not have details on the matter.-- BERNAMA

*********************************************************
Former mufti battles Syarie Lawyers Association
Malaysiakini
Nov 1, 09 2:19pm

Former Perlis mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, today gave a week to the Syarie Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) to provide proof that he had insulted renowned 'ulama' (learned men) among them being Imam Nawawi, Imam Bukhari and Imam Ghazali.

Asri said he wanted to see for himself the writings and words that he was purportedly said to have used to insult these 'ulama'."

I do not want to quarrel, I just want to see the proof that shows that I insulted these imams," he told a news conference at his home in Kuala Lumpur.

On Oct 12, PGSM had sent a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to withdraw Asri's appointment as the head of the Yayasan Dakwah Islam Malaysia (Yadim) on various charges of insulting ulama.

He said he only read of the allegations through the PGSM blog this morning and was frustrated with what was said. - Bernama

*********************************************************
Ex-Perlis mufti challenges PGSM to prove ‘ulama insult’
The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Former Perlis mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, today gave a week to the Syarie Lawyers Association of Malaysia (PGSM) to provide proof that he had insulted renowned “ulama” (learned men) among them being Imam Nawawi, Imam Bukhari and Imam Ghazali.

Dr Asri said he wanted to see for himself the writings and words that he was purportedly said to have used to insult these “ulama”.

“I do not want to quarrel, I just want to see the proof that shows that I insulted these imams,” he told a news conference at his home here.

On Oct 12, PGSM had sent a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to withdraw Dr Asri’s appointment as the head of the Yayasan Dakwah Islam Malaysia (Yadim) on various charges of insulting ulama.

He said he only read of the allegations through the PGSM blog this morning and was frustrated with what was said. — Bernama

*********************************************************
Maverick ex-Perlis mufti to join PAS?
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — The visit by PAS religious scholar council chief, Datuk Harun Taib, to the house of Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin recently has sparked rumours about the possibility of the former Perlis mufti joining the Islamist party soon.

A blog had also published a photo of Harun’s visit to Asri’s house in Penang, claiming that the PAS leader was there to invite the latter to join PAS.

Asri today confirmed the visit and invitation to join the Islamist party.

“I would take it as an invitation but I have not made up my mind,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

His participation in PAS would boost the image of the Islamist party, which has been rocked by infighting between the progressive and conservative camps.

Asri, known for his “forward thinking” and independence from the status quo, may well be a vote-puller especially among the more moderate Malay and the non-Malay electorates.
But the decision to join PAS may not sit well with certain quarters, which allegedly includes former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

An online news portal reported yesterday that Asri, purported to have a close relationship with Dr Mahathir, had met with him and asked for his opinion on the invitation.

The report further said that Dr Mahathir had objected to the idea and pleaded with Asri to remain nonpartisan.

Asri when asked about the meet only said that he “maintains good relations with all parties” and refused to comment further on the matter.