KLANG: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has shot down the proposal to set guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim festivities.
A statement issued by Istana Alam Shah on Saturday (Feb 8) said Sultan Sharafuddin had expressed stern disagreement against the proposal, especially in Selangor.
“As the head of Islam in Selangor, His Royal Highness opined that the proposal was made at an unsuitable time when the people, from various ethnicities and religions, were strengthening goodwill to propagate national unity,’’ added the statement.
The Sultan also believed that the matter created unease amongst the people, which could disrupt existing communal harmony.
His Royal Highness said Islam has provided the best guidelines through the Quran and Sunnah since time immemorial. This was further reinforced by the tenets of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah amongst Muslims in Malaysia.
“Hence the question of deviation of faith following such practices (attending non-Muslim celebrations), does not arise because His Highness believes Muslims understand religious boundaries and cannot be easily influenced as they can evaluate between good and bad,’’ said the statement.
Sultan Sharafuddin reminded everyone that as a pluralistic society, religious tolerance must not be compromised, but at the same time, Islam must be respected and acknowledged as the federal religion enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution.
The palace also said Sultan Sharafuddin advised Muslims, especially those in Selangor, always to strive to strengthen their faith and belief by deepening religious knowledge as well as following Allah’s commands and adhering to all His prohibitions.
