Controversial Egyptian preacher jailed for 'blasphemy'

By Sayed Fathi

CAIRO (AA) - An Egyptian court on Wednesday slapped a controversial Muslim preacher with a two-year jail sentence for “blasphemy”, according to a local judicial source.

Mohamed Abdullah Nasr -- popularly known as “Mizo” -- triggered a public outcry last year after he claimed to be the Mahdi, a prophesied Muslim redeemer who will rule the world before the Day of Judgment.

Lawyer Samir Sabri filed the lawsuit against the preacher, accusing him of “showing contempt for Islam”.

In February, a court sentenced Abdullah to five years in prison for "contempt for religion", but the preacher later successfully appealed the sentence.

On Wednesday, the court reduced Abdullah’s jail term to only two years, the judicial source said, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on talking to reporters.

Under Egyptian law, showing contempt for religion is punishable by up to five years behind bars.

Abdullah had drawn the ire of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni-Muslim world, for his controversial assertions and views.