Na Im Quells Backlash Stop Attacking The Noble Islamic Guidelines As They Haven T Been Finalised

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ALL the fuss about the Guidelines for the Participation of Muslims in Celebrations and Ceremonies of Deaths of Non-Muslims and Visits and Organisation of Ceremonies at Non-Muslim Places of Worship is uncalled for as they are still in the discussion stage.
Such is the immediate reaction from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar in brushing aside massive public backlash over concerns of the guidelines ruining race relations among Malaysians which are already in fragile state.
In his contention, these guidelines are still being deliberated with the engagement of the relevant Islamic authorities that include the State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN).
“They will then be comprehensively reviewed by the 126th Meeting of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia (MKI),” revealed the senator who was a former Syariah Court chief judge in a statement issued late last night (Feb 5).
“The MKI Discussion Committee is chaired by Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot (MKI chairman) and is composed of muftis, deputy muftis and various religious experts.
“The decision of the MKI Discussion Committee will be brought up for consideration in a MKI meeting to be chaired by the Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah.”
For context, Naim has sparked an outrage among non-Muslim Malaysians yesterday (Feb 5) with his revelation of the guidelines via a Parliamentary written reply to questions raised by two PAS MPs Datuk Ahmad Yahaya (Pokok Sena) and Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (Permatang Pauh).

The new guidelines, among others, will touch on:
Speeches or songs in the form of propaganda, dissemination of materials or promotion of their religion;Performances or speeches that insult or mock the beliefs of the Muslim community;Holding events during times when Muslims are engaged in worship such as during the call to prayer, congregational prayers, sermons or Friday prayers;Event locations must not be near mosques, surau, Muslim cemeteries or waqf lands;The premises used must not display symbols or attributes of religions other than Islam.Following the outburst, Na’im requested all quarters not to create misunderstandings by polemicising “this issue to the point of causing public unrest because the underlying purpose of developing these guidelines is noble”.
Earlier, the religious affairs minister pointed out the guidelines were developed to promote harmonious social and cultural relations among the multi-religious community in Malaysia.
“It is hoped that the guidelines which are currently being developed will enable Muslims to attend celebrations or ceremonies of other religions in an orderly manner by complying with the Islamic etiquette, thus safeguarding their faith,” he justified.
“They are to ensure that religiously-oriented activities are organised in an orderly manner and subsequently become effective platforms towards strengthening (racial/religious) harmony in our beloved country.”
For the record, this is certainly not the first time the International Islamic University (IIU) legal scholar was caught shooting his mouth off.
Recall that in September last year, he mooted the idea of making halal certification mandatory in the Malaysian food & beverage (F&B) industry which eventually triggered a war of words between DAP’s vice-chairman Teresa Kok and UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh that led to nationwide police reports and legal suit.

At the end of the day, all the brouhaha came to nought with the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that getting halal certification will remain optional for eateries that do not serve pork or alcohol. – Focus Malaysia

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