Man who slapped imam at Malaysia's National Mosque ordered to undergo psychiatric tests

Shabir Ahmad Khan, a personal driver from Srinagar, Kashmir, was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation for allegedly slapping an imam at Malaysia's National Mosque on Sept 18, 2015. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A personal driver from Srinagar, Kashmir was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation for allegedly slapping an imam at Malaysia's National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur during Friday prayers on Sept 18.

Magistrate Radziah Kamarudin ordered Shabir Ahmad Khan to undergo the tests at Hospital Rambutan in Perak after he did not respond to the interpreter when the charges were read to him.

Shabir, who reluctantly nodded and pleaded guilty to the charges, did not respond when questioned by the magistrate several times.

"I feel very guilty. I want to see the imam. I want to say sorry, can you call the imam to come here," mumbled Shabir who was looking at the floor instead of the interpreter.

Judge Radziah interrupted and asked: "Shabir, look at me. Do you realise you are in court now? Do you understand the charge?

"Do you hear any whisper now?," the magistrate asked Shabir.

Shabir is accused of slapping imam Mohd Zuhairee Ahmad Yatim, 39, while he was leading Friday prayers, a charge of causing hurt under section 323 of the Penal Code.

Shabir, who appeared to be dazed, was also charged with causing disturbance under section 296 of the Penal Code at around 1.30pm at the National Mosque on Sept 18 and with overstaying under immigration laws.

Prosecuting officer Nom Phot acted for the prosecution.

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