New twist in long-running legal wrangle involving former Grand Mosque preacher​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Waseem Yousef accuses 19 Twitter users of defaming him, but is also facing a counter-claim that he spread 'racism and hate'

Former Grand Mosque preacher and TV personality Waseem Yousef was accused of spreading hatred and sedition. Antonie Robertson / The National.

A long-running legal dispute between a prominent preacher in the UAE and more than a dozen Twitter users is facing a fresh delay.

Waseem Yousef, a former preacher at the Sheikh Zayed Gramd Mosque and a well-known TV personality, took 19 people to court in January after claiming they defamed him online last year.

The alleged insults came after comments he made about Sahih Al Bukhari, one of six major collections of sayings and actions of the Prophet Mohammed.

Mr Yousef claimed not everything in the book should be taken as the “ultimate truth”, prompting criticism online.

Earlier this month, however, The National told how Mr Yousef himself was being counter-sued by a group of Emirati lawyers representing the 19 Twitter users for allegedly spreading 'racism and hate' through statements he had made online and on television.

Now Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has ruled that the case against Mr Yousef is outside its jurisdiction and has referred the matter to federal prosecutors for further review.

It is not known when the matter will be back at court and at which legal venue it will be heard.