PETALING JAYA: Several MPs will be meeting Minister in the Prime Minster's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar (pic) over the new proposed guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events or celebrations, says Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan.
In an Instagram post, he said the meeting with Na'im was to seek clarification and provide their input over the guideline, which would require organisers to obtain the permission of religious authorities before inviting Muslims to attend.
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"Muslim elected representatives who attend these events are obviously not there for worship, but to carry out their duties and responsibilities to our constituents.
“Some of us MPs will be seeking a meeting with the minister to clarify this and provide our input on the matter,” he said on Wednesday (Feb 5).
At the Dewan Rakyat, Na'im said event organisers must get approval from the authorities and views of Islamic authorities if inviting leaders or Muslims for festive events, funerals or those held in non-Muslim houses of worship.
This was among the updates to existing guidelines involving Muslims in such gatherings and would be finalised by the end of this month by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).
Na'im added that the current guidelines were updated to prevent incidents which could touch on the sensitivities of Muslims.
"The guidelines underline the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festive celebrations.
"Among them is that Muslims involved in such celebrations must not participate in actions that could touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community," he said when replying to Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) in a written reply in Parliament.
The updated guidelines, he said, included speeches or singing and distributing pamphlets that propagate other religions.
Also included were performances or speeches which insult or belittle Muslim beliefs or held events during Muslim daily prayer times including during Friday prayer time.
