KUALA LUMPUR: Further consultations will be made on the proposed guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events or celebrations, which are still being refined, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said the guidelines, which are advisory in nature, are still undergoing consultations with the relevant authorities, including state Islamic religious councils and will be reviewed when the muzakarah committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) meets from Feb 25 to 27.
The committee’s recommendations will then be presented for consideration at the MKI meeting, which will be chaired by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizuddin Shah, he said.
Mohd Na’im also called on detractors to refrain from engaging in polemics, saying that the guidelines are aimed at fostering “social and cultural” harmony in Malaysia’s multi-religious society.
“The guidelines are meant to spur the government’s efforts to strengthen unity and sow respect among communities without fear or misunderstanding from an Islamic perspective,” Mohd Na’im said, Bernama reported.
He further clarified that the guidelines serve as a reference for how Muslims can attend non-Muslim events in a manner that is “orderly, respectful, and in adherence to Islamic principles”.
“The guidelines will also ensure that Muslim participation in such activities does not spark controversy or infringe upon religious sensitivities,” he added.
Earlier, he said new guidelines are being developed to provide clear rules regarding the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festivities and funerals.
In a written Dewan Rakyat reply, he said the guidelines would also cover the involvement of Muslims in events held at non-Muslim places of worship.
Under the proposed rules, there can be no speeches or songs with religious “propaganda” or performances that would insult Muslims, while the premises cannot display the religious symbols of faiths other than Islam.
Mohd Na’im also stated that event organisers would need to obtain permission from the relevant authorities, as well as the “views” of Islamic authorities if their event involves Muslim participation.
Concerned groups, including religious groups and MPs, argued that such rulings could exacerbate religious divisions in the country.
MIC had urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in the issue, while DAP’s Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan expressed concerns that the guidelines could affect Muslim elected representatives invited to events at non-Muslim houses of worship.
