‘Stop covert attempt to proselytise Muslims’

The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has directed MAIS and JAIS to stamp out apostasy in the state.

TANJUNG KARANG: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has ordered the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to take strategic steps to root out a subtle attempt to proselytise Muslims.

“I was informed that the proselytisation of Muslims, which occurred over the last few years, was done covertly and those involved were cunning in concealing evidence,” he said when opening the RM5 million Kampung Gulang-Gulang Mosque here today.

He said JAIS must continuously give explanation and counselling to Muslims who had committed apostasy.

“Let me remind JAIS to be discreet in its actions and approaches so that Muslims who have began distancing themselves from Islam will… return to the fold and repent,” he added.

The Sultan said he was worried over the emergence of apostasy among Muslims, apart from Islamic deviationist teachings, as it would damage the growth and development of Islam in Selangor if left unchecked.

On his instruction that only those, who were qualified and certified by JAIS, could preach in mosques, Sultan Sharafuddin said it was aimed at preventing Muslims from being misled or confused.

He called on residents of Kampung Gulang-Gulang to live in harmony and goodwill despite embracing different beliefs and ideologies.

The Sultan also urged Muslims to use the mosques to foster friendship and understanding as it would help entice the younger generation to emulate the integrity of congregators.

The Sultan later joined the Yasin recitation and thanksgiving prayers led by Selangor mufti Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid in conjunction with his 66th birthday and 10th year reign as the Sultan of Selangor.

He also received payments of tithes amounting to RM100,000 from the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation and RM600,000 from Maybank Islamic Bhd.

-Bernama