CAIRO – A renowned Saudi Muslim scholar was shot in Zamboanga city southern Philippines after he finished his lecture in an Islamic forum in a school auditorium on Tuesday evening, March 1.

“We are still investigating the motive for the attack,” police spokeswoman Inspector Helen Galvez said, Arab News reported.

Sheikh A’id Al-Qarni was shot as he left an Islamic forum in a school auditorium at around 8:30 pm by a man who had attended the speech.

The gunman, who remains unidentified, shot Al-Quarni, a lecturer and author of many motivational books on Islam, in his right shoulder, left arm and chest.

Officials added that Sheik Turki Assaegh, a religious attaché of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, was also hit in his right thigh and left leg.

Galvez said Qarni is in a stable condition in Zamboanga City hospital.

She added that the gunman was killed by police officers, who were detailed as close-in security.

“We pinned down the gunman. He’s dead,” she said.

Al-Qarni is a prominent Muslim scholar who has over 12 million followers on Twitter.

In his book “Awakening Islam,” the French academic Stephane Lacroix included Qarni among “the most famous” Saudi preachers.

He is also the author of the best-selling book “Don’t Be Sad.”

Muslims make up nearly 8 percent of the total populace in the Philippines, which Islam reached in the 13th century about 200 years before Christianity.