Muslim preachers should inform congregations on dangers of spreading fake news - Expert

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26  -- Muslim preachers today need to be wise in explaining to the public the disadvantages of spreading fake news, especially on social media, says International Islamic University College Selangor (KUIS) lecturer, Dr Mohd Farid Ravi Abdullah.

"People’s actions of spreading fake news, regardless of whether it is posted on social media or ‘surat layang’ (poison-pen letters) without double-checking the facts is an irresponsible act," he told Bernama when met during an expert discourse on Islamic jurisprudence in Malaysia at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) here, today.

"It is the duty of the preacher to judge wisely if there is any truth behind the messages, so the matter (which has been falsified) has to be explained to the public to be corrected, and if it can’t, it should be handed over to the authorities," he said during his presentation.

Meanwhile, IKIM chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said the debate on the Malaysian ‘manhaj’ (methodology or clear path) was becoming more and more necessary as the country's multicultural society was being constricted with various extremist ideologies that have affected the unity of the people.

“The task of preaching to a multiracial community is even more challenging, as they need to emphasise aspects of Islamic propagation based on sound reasoning, as well as taking into account the sensitivities of the multiracial community,” he said.

Terengganu Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifly Muda, and Prof Mohd Nazari Ismail from the University of Malaya's Faculty of Business and Accounting also presented their views during the discourse.

-- BERNAMA