THE Mufti of Kelantan, Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, has cautioned the public not to underestimate the danger of activities that could tarnish the image of Islam or misuse religious institutions for unlawful purposes such as money‑laundering or the propagation of deviant teachings.
He emphasised that “all forms of activity that lead to destruction are forbidden in Islam and the outcome of illicit activity is haram. Allah is Most Beautiful and only accepts what is halal and good.”
He also expressed appreciation for the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for “acting early to detect possible activities that could affect religious institutions in this state.”
Although no complaints have yet been received, Mohamad Shukri said the swift action by law‑enforcement shows vigilance towards the sanctity of Islam and its institutions, including pondok schools, madrasahs and tahfiz centres.
He urged the community not to generalise negativity towards all madrasahs or religious schools, stating “punishing them all is not appropriate because only a small number may be involved. Don’t let one buffalo wallowing in the mud tarnish the whole herd.”
The warning follows an announcement by the Kelantan Police that preliminary intelligence suggests some unregistered madrasahs in the state may be used as fronts for money‑laundering.
According to police, around half of the madrasahs in Kelantan are not registered with the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK), and several unauthorised institutions are under surveillance to prevent misuse of funds or dissemination of unlawful teachings.
The Mufti urged coordination between community, religious authorities and law‑enforcement to maintain trust in Islamic educational institutions and protect them from exploitation. - October 22, 2025
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