No need for guidelines for Muslims visiting non-Muslim houses of worship, events, says PM

GOMBAK: There is no need for guidelines for Muslims visiting non-Muslim house of worships or events, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Ministger said that Muslims are already aware of the religious guidelines when visiting such places, especially not to participate in non-Muslim prayers.

“I think that there is no need (for the guideline) because as Muslims they should know (the dos and donts).

“Like right now, I’m here (at Batu Caves) not to participate in any (Hindu) prayers,” he told reporters Friday (Feb 7) when visiting the temple at Batu Caves here ahead of Thaipusam celebration.

Anwar also said that the Cabinet has made its decision on the matter and he will be presenting it to Sultan Nazrin Shah who is the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) chairman.

“While it is true that Islam is the federal religion of Malaysia, there are also many races and religions which we need to take care of if we want to maintain the peace.

“Therefore, I feel that there’s no need to give out any explanation anymore about the guidelines.

“The Muslims know the rules in accordance wutg their akidah (faith),” he said.

Earlier, the Cabinet agreed that the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) could offer advice to Muslims on safeguarding their faith concerning participation in non-Muslim celebrations and events.

Previously, it was reported that the said new guidelines were being developed to provide clear rules regarding the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festivities and funerals.

In a written Dewan Rakyat reply, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the guidelines would also cover the involvement of Muslims in events held at non-Muslim places of worship.

Under the proposed rules, there can be no speeches or songs with religious “propaganda” or performances that would insult Muslims, while the premises cannot display the religious symbols of faiths other than Islam.