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Iman Muttaqin Yusof

A Malaysian student has pleaded not guilty to desecrating the Koran and posting offensive content online, in a case that has stirred widespread anger in the Muslim-majority country during the holy month of Ramadan.
Vikneswaran K. Selvanathan, 21, appeared before the Sessions Court in Kuantan, Pahang, on Tuesday to face two charges: defiling a sacred object and transmitting “grossly offensive” material on social media in violation of Malaysia’s communications law.
He is accused of stepping on a copy of the Koran at a house in Kuantan on February 22 “with intent to insult Islam”, according to the charge sheet seen by This Week in Asia.
The second charge alleges he knowingly published material online intended to cause hurt to others.

A conviction on the first charge could result in up to two years in prison, a fine, or both; the second carries a maximum fine of 500,000 ringgit (US$128,000), two years’ imprisonment, or both.
Vikneswaran entered his not guilty pleas before Judge Harmi Thamri Mohamad, state news agency Bernama reported. The court granted bail at 10,000 ringgit and set April 8 for the next hearing.
The case erupted after footage and screenshots purporting to show a man standing on the Koran – accompanied by comments alleged to mock the Prophet Mohammed – spread rapidly on social media last month.
The material drew immediate and fierce condemnation across Malaysia, where Islam is enshrined as the national religion and offences against the faith can quickly become flashpoints.


An account believed to belong to the original poster subsequently appeared to publish an apology, with messages acknowledging that the act was “deeply wrong, disrespectful and hurtful”.
By Monday, police said 82 reports had been filed nationwide and statements taken from 43 witnesses.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission described the content as containing elements “insulting Islam” with the potential “to incite tension and disrupt public harmony”.
Outrage has been heightened because the incident occurred during Ramadan, when Malaysia’s Muslim majority observes fasting, prayer and heightened religious devotion.
We cannot take lightly any attempt at insult … not only against Islam, but against all religions
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said on Monday that the matter had to be dealt with swiftly, “especially when Muslims are fasting during the month of Ramadan”, while urging calm as investigations continued.
Vikneswaran’s institution, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, has said it is separately investigating him over content touching on the country’s acutely sensitive “3R” issues of race, religion and royalty.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday that his government would “never allow any party to insult the Koran in this country in any form”, while cautioning the public not to rush to judgment before the law had run its course.
“This is a country governed by the rule of law, and we cannot disregard the legal process in taking action,” he said at a public event. “Islam is the religion of the federation, and we cannot take lightly any attempt at insult … not only against Islam, but against all religions in this country to preserve harmony.”


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Malaysia

Malaysian student charged with desecrating Koran in viral video

A pupil learns to read Arabic during a Koran memorisation lesson. Photo: EPA

Muslims recite the Koran in groups at Putra Mosque in Putrajaya on February 18, the first evening of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters

A pupil learns to read Arabic last month during a Koran memorisation lesson in Indonesia. Photo: EPA

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A still from footage circulated on social media shows a person being detained in central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, after police denied permission for an “Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship” rally. Photo: X/bckupacc99

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not pictured) in Putrajaya on Sunday. Photo: AFP

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hold hands during a press conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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An expanded screenshot of the mermaid sales stunt that circulated on Malaysian social media. Photo: X/dahfollowbelum

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A parliamentary session in Malaysia on Wednesday led to a heated debate on the use of certain Arabic phrases associated with Muslims. Photo: AP

Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party gathering in Pekan ahead of the 2018 general election. PAS has objected to Malaysian Minister Nga Kor Ming’s use of several Arabic phrases in parliament. Photo: AFP

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The viral post showing a man stepping on the Koran and mocking the Prophet Mohammed has triggered 82 police reports and a national outcry


The viral post showing a man stepping on the Koran and mocking the Prophet Mohammed has triggered 82 police reports and a national outcry.


Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian student charged with desecrating Koran in viral video

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The viral post showing a man stepping on the Koran and mocking the Prophet Mohammed has triggered 82 police reports and a national outcry

The viral post showing a man stepping on the Koran and mocking the Prophet Mohammed has triggered 82 police reports and a national outcry