Selangor Sultan wants mosques to record lectures, limit them to premises

PETALING JAYA: (AMENDED) The Sultan of Selangor has decreed that mosques and surau throughout the state should limit the use of speakers for sermons and lectures to mosque compounds, except during the Azan call to prayer and when reci­ting verses from the Quran.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah also instructed that lectures at mosques and surau be recorded, and their content monitored for compliance with Credentials Regulations (Selangor) 2008 and the Mosques and Surau (Selangor) Regulations 2017.

A press statement issued by Selangor Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais explained that the loudspeaker requirement was aimed at preserving Islam’s image, which prioritises overall social harmony.

“The Malay rulers are of the stance that Islam, as the religion of the Federation, encourages its followers to be tolerant, moderate and inclusive and kept from being polluted by extremist actions that divide the citizens.”

Sultan Sharafuddin reminded all Selangor citizens to respect the main principles in the Federal Constitution for the country’s harmony and peace.

In the statement, Sultan Shara­fuddin also instructed the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) to revoke Zamihan Mat Zin’s preaching credentials and cancel his membership in the state’s Credentials Committee according to Rule 17 of the Creden­tials Regulations.

“This action was taken follow­ing a religious lecture which contained racist words, (was) uncouth and excessively critical of the royal institution,” the statement said.

“In addition, this lecture was held in the Royal Mosque, where such religious lectures should not take place.”

When contacted, Mais chairman Datuk Mohammad Adzib Mohd Isa said all operational aspects relating to Islam in Selangor fell under the Selangor Islamic Religious Depart-ment (Jais).

“It is better to refer to Jais on how the decree will be implemented.”

Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid concurred with Mohammad Adzib and declined to comment further.

Jais director Datuk Haris Kasim said the Sultan “has made his decree clear”.

Being the governing body for Islamic law under the Selangor pa­lace, Mais is in charge of the management of zakat (tithe), wakaf (donation for religious purposes) and baitumal (Islamic financial centres).

The main function of Jais is to ensure that enforcement and implementation of issues relating to Islam in Selangor are properly conducted and according to Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah (Sunni Islam) practised in the country.

MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party was in full support of Sultan Sharafuddin for his wisdom and guidance to ensure that Malaysia remained a successful and moderate nation.

“Above all, I am heartened that Tuanku is looking into this matter personally while taking into con­­si­deration the well-being of all Ma­laysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” Liow said in a statement.

MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said in a statement that the Sultan’s order to revoke Zamihan’s credentials was a blow to bigotry.

“Regretfully, there are now groups and individuals beginning to show signs of defiance and dis­respect to the royal institutions whose constitutional duties include protecting the good name of our state religion.

“This is a dangerous emerging trend that must be curbed imme­diately by the authorities to restore order and respect to our Constitution and institutions,” he added.