The Malays, furious at his audacity in organising an event to educate the public on Islam’s stance on dogs, have circulated his mobile number online, while on WhatsApp, messages claiming he is a Christian in disguise have spread like wildfire.
Once easily reachable through his phone or Facebook, Syed Azmi has now gone virtually underground, but on Facebook, his friends, family and neighbours in Taman Tun Dr Ismail have been responding to the threats on his behalf.
However, the threats, most of them posted as comments to a Facebook post by Ustaz Mohd Kazim Elias, which condemned the event, are numerous and filled with hate.
“Saya dgn pandangan ustaz dan saya rasa penganjur ni jenis buta hati dan cetek ugama dan suka merosakkan ugama dan patut rejam sampai mati. He he,” said Ghas Ku.
(I agree with the ustaz and believe this organiser cannot differentiate between what is right and wrong, has a shallow understanding of religion and likes to destroy Islam and should be stoned to death.)
“Meh sini aku bagi sedas pelempang baru ada akal sikit penganjur tu,” said Hafizzulnaim Haji Samsuddin.
(Let me give the organiser a beating so that he can gain some reason.)
Another Facebook user, Yusoff Hj Ashaari, said that on top of taking action against Syed Azmi, the public should find the women who posed with the dogs at the event, and pull of their scarves to see if they wore crucifixes or were concealing tattoos.
“Ustaz, this organiser really is a dog,” said Han Khalief.
In his Facebook post, the ustaz had accused the programme of being a subtle attempt to introduce “liberal” and “pluralistic” ideas among Muslims, adding that it would give way to campaigns on touching and eating pigs.
The event, which was held on Sunday in Bandar Utama, proved to be very popular with about 1,000 people participating, and learning compassion for dogs as well as Islam’s views on the canines.
Many who came took the opportunity to touch and pet the dogs of various breeds, including chow chow, husky, German Shepherd and poodle, brought to the event by their owners.
Volunteers at the event also demonstrated how the cleansing process, called sertu or samak which involves washing the affected area six times with clean water and once with earth, was done.
However, many Malays – clerics and ordinary citizens alike – took offence at photos of Muslims petting and holding the dogs.
On popular Malay blog Sirap Limau, Internet user Salsaparila wrote: “Memang celaka bangsat penganjur sial ni. Yang datang pun bodoh bangang takde otak punya orang. Harap2 nanti mamat sial ni mati la kena gigit anjing.”
(This organiser really is damned, nasty, and accursed. Those who attended are stupid and without any brains. I hope this cursed person dies from dog bite.)
A WhatsApp message purportedly from the Putrajaya Religious Council has also been circulating.
It claims that Syed Azmi was a Christian who wants to spread Shia teachings and has been disguising as an ustaz for a year.
“According to a real source, he has paid off all Malay-Muslim organisations in Malaysia so that his actions or campaign could run smoothly. His purpose is to spread a new religion like the Shia but it is done subtly and he will not appear to be behind it,” it said.
Facebook user Terompah Besi regurgitated the same message on his own wall, but did not attribute it the Putrajaya Religious Council.
He had also added one line saying it was “a Jewish agenda to Christianise Muslim-Malaysians through subtle measures using DAP leaders”.
At least two police reports have been lodged over the event, according to Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Azmi Abu Kassim.
"The reports were lodged at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters with the complainants claiming that their Muslim sensitivities had been offended.
"It was decided that the police reports would be referred to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department for further action."
The first ever “I want to touch a dog” programme may have been declared a success by its organisers, but it has also been criticised by Islamic scholars.
Scholars said that while touching a dog was allowed in Islam under certain circumstances, they questioned the need for the campaign and its purpose.
The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has promised to conduct a probe into the programme, while the Selangor Religious Council (Mais) said that acts of kissing, hugging the dogs were not in line with the programme’s objectives.
Director-general of Jakim Datuk Othman Mustapha told Bernama that the programme should not have taken place, and that the campaign was conducted openly, including for Muslims, without a good reason.
He feared that the organisers might have a hidden agenda and saw it as trying to create a new culture that could lead to insulting Islam.
PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat likened the event organisers to people who have “worms” in the head.
However, former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said it was shallow thinking to say that touching a dog was haram.
“There are those who say it is forbidden to touch dogs because they are unclean.
“If that is so, then it is also forbidden for a person to touch their own faeces or that of their children,” he said without making any reference to the programme.
Sisters in Islam has also expressed support for the event saying it was a good initiative that allowed people to overcome their fears of dogs and helped nurture compassion for God’s creatures.
Its programme manager, Suri Kempe, said prejudice and hatred were the result of the fear of the unknown.
"In the case of dogs, it has manifested itself in the frequent reports of dogs being abused, sometimes in the most extreme ways.
“The fact that hundreds of people showed up simply goes to show that this event resonated with people.
"There is a thirst to reach out and know more about dogs, among both Muslims and non-Muslims,” she said.
On the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Facebook community page, neighbours of Syed Azmi have rallied around him, posting messages of hope and defending him against insulting comments.
“Syed Azmi, you rock, and bless you!” said Nadia Jalil on the community page.
Rina M. Shaharuddin said: “As difficult as it may seem to continue your good efforts right now, please continue. You guys have made a lot of difference and instilled positive values in the community.
“Have faith. Forget the social media judges. At the end of the day, what matters is between you and your Maker.”
By Anisah Shukry and Lee Shi-ian
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