Govt updates guidelines for Muslims joining non-Muslim events
KUALA LUMPUR: Event organisers need the green light from the authorities and the views of Islamic agencies when inviting Muslims for events at a church, temple or shrine, according to the latest proposed guidelines by a national-level Islamic Affairs body.
Events involving Muslims must not be held during Muslim daily prayer times, including during Friday prayers, stated the proposed rules, issued by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).
Events must not be close to mosques, surau, Muslim cemeteries or land donated for religious use through wakaf, the proposed guidelines stated.
The proposed guidelines were unveiled by Minister in the Prime Minster’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar during yesterday’s sitting at the Dewan Rakyat.
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“The guidelines underline the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festive celebrations.
“Muslims involved in such celebrations must not participate in actions that could touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community,” he said in a written reply to Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan.
The guidelines will be finalised and updated by the end of the month, Mohd Na’im said.
The guidelines also prohibit Muslims from giving speeches, singing or distributing pamphlets that propagate other religions.
The premises used for such events must not display non-Muslim religious symbols, he added.
“The updated guidelines will complement the existing one which can still be used.
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“Any of the existing guidelines which contradict the new ones would be considered redundant,” he added.
Mohd Na’im also responded in writing to a similar question raised by Pokok Sena MP Datuk Ahmad Saad who wanted to know the guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim religious events.
Mohd Na’im said this was covered by the guideline for Muslims Attending non-Muslim Festive Celebrations which was endorsed by the MKI Muzakarah Fatwa Committee in 2005.
Recently, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming came under fire from PAS for holding a Christmas carolling session involving Christians at his ministry.
Nga, however, said the celebration is a reflection of Malaysia’s diversity, which is the nation’s strength and uniqueness.
He added that 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, saying the Japanese festival has elements of Buddhist rituals that could sway one’s faith).
This prompted a rebuke from the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who summoned Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi to a meeting at Istana Bukit Kayangan.
