Preacher nabbed for kissing navels

Preacher nabbed for kissing navels

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): A self-styled Islamic preacher has been detained in Malaysia for kissing the navels of his women followers as a "graduation" ritual, the New Straits Times reported yesterday.

The Islamic Religious Department in Malaysia's southern state of Johore picked up the unidentified Indonesian on Monday after a husband complained his wife had given all their money to him.

At least 40 women, most of them government workers, have been identified as followers, said Shafiee Hashim, the religious department's director. He said the women refused to cooperate.

"It's as if they are under a spell," the newspaper quoted Shafiee as saying, adding the preacher will be prosecuted in an Islamic court.