T’ganu PAS to file report over AI-made ‘Welcome to Afganu’ image

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Terengganu PAS’s youth wing will file a police report tomorrow over an image generated by artificial intelligence (AI) which poked fun at the state’s ban on Muslim women participating in diving competitions.

The AI-made image, posted by a Facebook user, depicted a woman dressed in a burqa diving into a swimming pool, with the caption Welcome to Afganu!.

Kuala Nerus PAS Youth said it could not ignore the matter as the image was insulting to Islam, adding that the person behind the image likely posted it on a fake Facebook account.

We hope the police will investigate the matter thoroughly with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), it said, according to PAS organ Harakahdaily.

Terengganu youth and sports committee chairman Hishamuddin Abdul Karim previously expressed shock that two Muslim girls represented the east coast state in diving at the Malaysia Games (Sukma), saying they did so without the state government’s approval.

In 2018, Terengganu made it a requirement for state athletes to wear shariah-compliant clothing, both at home and while taking part in outstation events.

The state has also banned women from taking part in gymnastics events because of non-shariah-compliant outfits, forcing several Muslim female gymnasts from Terengganu to retire from the sport.

The Terengganu Amateur Swimming Association has since apologised for sending the two divers to Sukma.