Zaid Ibrahim’s son faces charges over Irshad Manji book

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PETALING JAYA: Former Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (KITA) president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s son, Mohd Ezra Mohd Zaid, faced three charges at the Lower Syariah Court here yesterday in relation to Irshad Manji’s book ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’.

Mohd Ezra, 30, pleaded not guilty to the alternative charges of publishing, distributing and possessing the books.

Mohd Ezra was first charged in his capacity as director and major shareholder of ZI Publications with publishing the book which allegedly contained material that went against Islamic teachings.

The second charge involved his distribution of the book to Silverfish Books Sdn Bhd and a man named Faisal Mustaffa.

He faces a maximum of RM3,000 fine or two years in prison or both upon conviction under Section 16(1)(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.

The third charge was for possessing 180 of the books, under Section 16(1)(b) of the same enactment.

He allegedly committed the offences at ZI Publications, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1, PJU 3, around May last year.

Syarie Judge Saharuddin Selamat set bail at RM1,000 with one surety for all the charges and fixed May 9 for mention.

Prosecution was handled by Syarie Chief Prosecutor Abdul Syukor Abdul Hamid, while Mohd Ezra was represented by lawyer Zulkifli Che Yong. — Bernama