KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has again cautioned against lawmakers using mosques and surau in the state as political platforms to spread party propaganda.
In his royal address during the opening of the Selangor assembly today, the ruler reiterated his decree that state religious authorities will ensure only those who are accredited and vetted are allowed to preach in houses of worship.
Similarly, he also decreed for state authorities to ensure that religious premises are free from political influence.
“Mosques and surau should not be the source that divides the unity and harmony of Muslims on the grounds of political ideologies and never-ending political retribution.
“This however occurs when there are preachers who take advantage during their speeches to chide, insult and even slander certain people on the basis of differing political ideologies.
“I am concerned that such culture, if not contained, will affect the unity among Muslims, especially the Malays.”
In May 2021, the sultan barred political activists from teaching Islam in the state as religion should not be politicised and used as political material by any party.
Last week, the Terengganu Islamic and Malay Customs Council had issued a ban on politicians from preaching in surau and mosques in the state.
However, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang still delivered a Friday sermon at Masjid Rusila in his constituency of Marang in Terengganu.
The first meeting of the sixth term of the 14th Selangor assembly will take place for the next two weeks, where lawmakers are expected to deliberate and pass on state laws.
This is the last state assembly meeting before it is dissolved ahead of the state election expected to be held by June of this year. – The Vibes, March 13, 2023
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