The Malaysian Insight

MOST terrorists who associate themselves with Islam have no basic knowledge of the religion, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, adding that they represent the minority who taint Islam’s image.

“87% of them have no basic knowledge of Islam and are trying to find a shortcut to heaven,” he said at an event in Kampung Durian Daun, Malacca this afternoon.

Zahid was commenting on the recent suicide bombings in Jakarta, southern Thailand and the clashes between government forces and IS-linked militants in Mindanao, Philippines.

“I hope such incidents do not happen here,” the home minister said.

Yesterday, Zahid said the terror attacks in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines were the result of the killing of Malaysian IS fighter Mohammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi in Syria last month.

Citing intelligence reports, Zahid said there was a link between the eruption of violence in the region and the killing of the Malaysian terrorist in a drone attack in April.

He warned Malaysians against complacency as terror attacks could happen anywhere.

Zahid was in Malacca today to officiate the naming of a floating mosque after his mother and father-in-law.

He also said that mosques should also be used to conduct deradicalisation activities to counter religious extremism and terrorism.

“We should start promoting harmony within our religion. Islam is beautiful. Islamophobia exist because of these people (extremists),” Zahid said.

He also said that in order for everyone to live in harmony with each other, they should start respecting each other’s religion.

“To be respected, we have to respect others first,” he said. – May 26, 2017.