Outspoken Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin has come to the defence of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin over the denial of visas for two Israeli windsurfers, praising the latter's actions.

Asri said the minister’s stand over the duo, defending champions who were originally scheduled to compete at a tournament in Langkawi that starts today, was justified and cited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“Sports cannot be separated from humanitarianism.

“DAP only thinks of Israel’s rights in sports, but not much has been said about DAP’s stand towards the human rights of Palestinians,” wrote the mufti on his Facebook today.

Yesterday Perak DAP economic development bureau chief Chong Zhemin criticised Khairy for hiding behind Putrajaya in the denial of visas to windsurfers Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan to participate in the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) championship.

Chong said sports should not be mixed with politics, and cited Malaysia’s previous granting of a visa to Chelsea FC Israeli player Yossi Bernayoun for a friendly football match in Bukit Jalil stadium in 2011.

"To deny visas for any athletes based on their nationality, religion, or personal belief is an unsporting conduct,” said Chong in a statement.

The DAP leader said Khairy missed an opportunity to use sports to mend differences.

“When political differences are so fundamental and dividing, sports should be a 'unifying factor' and Khairy could set a good example and demonstrate to the whole world that Malaysians are mature enough to put away political differences in sports.

“However, Khairy failed to see that and allowed his political stand and personal sentiment to cloud his judgment,” said Chong, who is also political secretary to the Taiping MP and Perak DAP Youth organising secretary.

Fifty countries are taking part in the ISAF championship, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Germany, and France.