KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the reopening of places of worship in the nation’s capital, non-citizens are still not permitted to attend prayers in some mosques and surau.
In a series of tweets by netizen Mahamood Mubarak Ali that made the rounds yesterday, he alleged that Muslim non-citizens are still denied their right to worship alongside Malaysian devotees at Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur.
“Decided to go to Masjid Jamek (KL) for Friday prayers and they only allowed Malaysians to enter the mosque.
“The guard said it was a directive from the mosque and he was just following orders. I can’t brain. Do they know how discriminative and ridiculous this is?
“It’s just against the very core of Islam. It’s for everyone, and no one should be discriminated. I am furious.” Mahamood, who is also climate action project lead from FGV Holdings Bhd, tweeted.
Decided to go to Masjid Jamek (KL) for friday prayer, and they only allowed Malaysians to enter the mosque. The guard said it was a directive from the mosque and he was just following order. I cant brain. do they know how discriminative and ridiculous this is? Malaysia is fucked.
— mahamood mubarak #Lawan ? (@MahamoodMubarak) October 22, 2021
it's just against the very core of Islam. it's for everyone, and no one should be dicriminated. im furious.
— mahamood mubarak #Lawan ? (@MahamoodMubarak) October 22, 2021
He told The Vibes that on his way out, he had observed non-citizens praying on the pavement outside the mosque since they were denied entry.
“I just cannot think of a reason to justify it. You cannot make a checkpoint at the entrance and make sure only Malaysians enter the mosque.
“This is actually a big issue, and it involves other nationals and of course our foreign affairs. I would expect the KL mayor, minister or religious affairs minister to apologise,” Mahamood said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) claims that the temporary ban on non-citizens joining congregational prayers at Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur is not discriminatory.
Its director, Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail, told The Vibes that for now, mosques here are required to seek approval from the department should they wish to welcome Muslim non-citizens to fulfil their religious obligations.
“Actually, there are a few mosques that have asked for permission and we have given them approval. We have no problem allowing foreigners who want to perform the Friday prayers at mosques that have sought approval,” said Ajib.
We (Kuala Lumpur) have just transitioned to Phase 4. The reopening of all mosques in Kuala Lumpur to foreigners will have to be done in stages and phases. We are doing our best to curb the spread of Covid-19.”
When asked if the management of the mosque in question has applied for approval, Ajib said he is unsure, but will thoroughly check with his department and provide feedback through its corporate communications head, Saiful Azhar Saadon.
Attempts made by The Vibes to contact Saiful were unsuccessful.
However, Ajib said Jawi will look into reopening mosques to the non-citizen Muslim congregation in the near future.
“God willing, we will give them permission to enter mosques and surau soon. This will be based on existing guidelines.
“We have asked all chairmen of the mosque and surau committees to make preparations in accordance with SOPs,” he added.
Checks on SOPs for Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan revealed that individuals who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to attend religious activities at mosques and surau, subject to regulations by the state religious authority.
Previously, it was reported that Penang and Melaka have opened up their mosques to fully vaccinated non-citizens while Pahang has allowed worshippers, regardless of their vaccination status, to perform prayers. – The Vibes, October 24, 2021
