KUALA LUMPUR: Event organisers must get the authorities’ approval and the views of Islamic authorities when inviting leaders or Muslims for festive events, funerals or events held in non-Muslim houses of worship.
These were among the updates to existing guidelines involving Muslims in such gatherings, to be finalised by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) at month’s end.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said 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 on Wednesday (Feb 5).
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 holding events during Muslim daily prayer times including during the Friday prayer.
Events must not be held close to mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries or land donated for religious use through wakaf, the proposed guidelines stated.
"The premises used for the events must not display non-Muslim religious symbols," he added.
Mohd Na'im said that the proposed updated guidelines would be finalised by the MKI meeting scheduled to be held between Feb 25 and 27.
"The updated guidelines will complement the existing guidelines which could still be used as a guide.
"Any existing guidelines which contradict the new ones would be considered redundant," he added.
Mohd Na'im was also responding in a written reply to a similar question raised by Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN-Pokok Sena) who wanted to know whether guidelines were in place regarding non-Muslim religious celebrations attended by Muslims.
Mohd Na'im said existing guidelines are contained under the Guidelines for Muslims Attending non-Muslim Festive Celebrations which were endorsed by MKI Fatwa Muzakarah Committee in 2005.
He added this includes the Guidelines on Content With Islamic Elements in the Media which was published by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) last year.
Recently, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming came under fire from Islamist party PAS for a Christmas celebration held at his ministry.
Nga, however, said the celebration is a reflection of how the diversity of Malaysia's society is its strength and uniqueness.
He also said all festivals were celebrated at the ministry, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year.
In 2022, PAS also said Muslims should steer away from Bon Odori festivals, saying the Japanese festival has elements of Buddhist rituals that could sway one’s akidah (faith).
