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Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony

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Students learn to read the Koran as part of Ramadan activities in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Star
Malaysia’s Communications Ministry has ordered an investigation and immediate action following a social media post showing the desecration of the Koran.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government strongly condemned the act, describing it as disrespectful, insulting to Islam and a challenge to the sensitivities of Malaysia’s multiracial society.

He said enforcement action had been directed under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

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“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has been instructed to act swiftly, while coordinating with the police to take comprehensive and uncompromising action under the law,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Fahmi stressed that any behaviour touching on religious sensitivities and threatening public order would not be tolerated.

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The post, uploaded on the Threads platform, reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the Koran as well as screenshots of comments said to be insulting Prophet Muhammad, according to The Sun.

A man reads from a copy of the Muslims’ holy book, the Koran, at a mosque during the fasting month of Ramadan, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
A man reads from a copy of the Muslims’ holy book, the Koran, at a mosque during the fasting month of Ramadan, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
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