ALOR STAR: The Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIK) has taken action against popular preacher Syeikh Muhd Zainul Asri Mohd Romli over a viral post showing a group of students excessively praising him.
JHEAIK director Datuk Dr Abd Ghani Zainuddin said they summoned Zainul, who is also former Kedah Pas Ulama wing deputy chief, yesterday to clarify the video.
Abd Ghani confirmed that the department issued a reminder, advising Zainul to be more careful in allowing any form of excessive admiration.
"This is due to concerns that it may create negative perceptions in society and lead to extreme idolisation if not curbed.
"It could cause the community to fall into practices contrary to Islamic beliefs," he said in a statement today.
The preacher was also directed to share this guidance with his students and followers.
"He admitted the oversight and expressed his willingness to follow the advice and comply with any further directives from JHEAIK."
He also urged everyone to be cautious in showing reverence to any individual to avoid extreme idolisation and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani said Zainul acknowledged the video was recorded in 2020 but only went viral recently.
"According to him, the incident happened spontaneously and not by his request. He disagreed with the act and was merely entertaining his students' wish to celebrate his birthday."
The 54-second clip, which surfaced on social media, shows Zainul with students at an event where Arabic verses were recited in excessive admiration of him.
The video triggered varied reactions online after being shared by a Facebook user questioning the students' behaviour.