KUALA LUMPUR – Foreign Islamic preachers are not allowed to lead tarawih prayers or Ramadan-associated programmes in Selangor without prior approval from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
In a statement yesterday, Selangor Islamic Affairs, Consumer Affairs, and Halal Industry Committee executive councillor Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni said mosque, surau, and musalla administrators in the state must instead use imams or preachers approved by Jais or appointed by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council.
Similarly, Zawawi also stressed that tazkirah or ceramah should be done by accredited preachers and take no more than 20 minutes following the conclusion of tarawih prayers every evening.
The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins on March 22 and ends on April 21.
In recent weeks, the country has seen heightened religious and racial rhetoric on social media and from opposition figures over several issues.
These include the outcry over indie film Mentega Terbang and the Youth and Sports Ministry’s alleged proselytising of Christianity to Muslim youth through the “Jom Ziarah” programme by an affiliate organisation, which involves visits to houses of worship.
Certain state religious bodies have responded by banning Muslims from participating in such programmes or visiting non-Muslim houses of worship.
Meanwhile, the sultans of a few states, including PAS-controlled Terengganu, have moved to ban politicians and political activists from holding religious talks in mosques and surau. – The Vibes, March 18, 2023
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