Kuala Lumpur, January 23 – Malaysian comedian Harith Iskandar is facing criticism after joking about halal ham sandwiches, allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has decided to summon Harith for questioning over the matter.
JAKIM Director-General Datuk Sirajuddin said the agency has reported the incident to the police and requested an investigation to take further action, as the issue has caused distress among the Muslim community. In a statement released yesterday, Sirajuddin also mentioned that JAKIM is collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take action, including blocking the related social media accounts and removing the content.
“We urge all parties to remain calm and allow the authorities to carry out their investigation. JAKIM will never compromise with any behavior that mocks Islamic teachings and offends Muslim sensitivities,” Sirajuddin stated.
He further emphasized that Islam, as the official religion of the Federation, must always be respected. “In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural society like ours, this is not an excuse to neglect harmonious living,” he added.
Harith’s Controversy
Harith recently posted a photo on social media of a drink called “Ham Sap Kopi” (translated as ‘Salty Coffee’) and joked that the coffee was a threat to his faith. He humorously suggested that the coffee would lead him astray, and that the word “ham” (referring to ham) in the name might cause him to question his beliefs.
The post caused widespread anger in the Muslim community, who saw it as disrespectful to Islamic teachings.
Call for Respect and Tolerance
In response, Harith explained on his social media that his intention was not to offend anyone and called for respect and tolerance in society when dealing with different cultures and faiths. He emphasized that humor and jokes should not come at the cost of offending others’ beliefs.
At present, JAKIM is investigating the incident to determine whether further legal actions will be taken. The matter has sparked a broad public debate regarding the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities.
Related News: Harith Iskandar Faces Police Report Over Halal Ham Joke
On January 18, Harith posted the controversial photo and comments, leading to strong reactions from both the public and religious organizations.
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