Some 18% of Malay-Muslims support the Islamic State, a Merdeka Centre survey last year shows. – EPA pic, October 2, 2019.

By Mustafa K. Anuar

THERE is a troubling trend towards religious extremism in Malaysia, what with brazen acts of intolerance emerging in recent times, said academics.

Echoing the concern of Prof Syed Farid Alatas of National University of Singapore recently regarding persecution of Shias in Malaysia by the Sunni religious authorities, director of Islamic Renaissance Front Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa said: “The persecution against ‘the Other’, such as Shias, was a clear and succinct example. Not to mention about the Ahmadis who were also denied of their rights to practise their belief.

Our eyes are looking at the head of the religion in the state. His actions whether condoning or prohibiting tell us all the direction the movement is heading.

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