The religious authorities in the country have been reminded to monitor religious leaders and academicians who often quote controversial Turkish ulama Ibnu Taimiyyah in their talks and articles.

Bukit Aman counter-terrorism division’s principal assistant director, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said this is because many decree or fatwa of the leader have been manipulated by the Daish militants to justify their violence.

“This is based on the confessions from Daish suspects that we have detained as well as the militant’s propaganda tool like Dabiq.

“But, I am not labelling Ibn Taimiyyah as deviant,” he stressed.

Ayob also called on all the state mufti departments and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) to play its role as the police are not authorised to monitor religious matters.

“This involves ideology and if is not addressed then Daish threats will continue,” he said.

He said several countries have banned Ibn Taimiyyah’s work including Universiti al-Azhar, Egypt and Jordan.