No directive against interfaith prayers, says minister

Criticisms surrounding an interfaith prayer function hosted by the National Unity and Integration Department have prompted the department to seek clarification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

Contrary to media reports, de facto National Unity and Social Wellbeing Minister P Waythamoorthy clarified today that the question on hosting interfaith prayer functions was posed as a guide for the National Unity Department, rather than to be issued as an open directive.

"No directive issued. It is an internal letter between the department and Jakim.

"It is just a query that we did, that's all. But how it got to the media we don't know," Waythamoorthy said during a press conference after visiting Kompleks Sekolah Wawasan in USJ15, Subang Jaya.

He said this when asked for comments on concerns raised following Jakim's advice to Muslims regarding interfaith prayers, either in the form of mass silent prayer or through separate rituals at an event.

This was explained by Jakim in a letter on Aug 7 in response to a query from the National Unity Department on the hosting of such functions.

"If I'm not mistaken last year in Negeri Sembilan there was an interfaith gathering, where all religious leaders recited their prayers in turn.

"So I think that attracted some criticisms and the Unity Department wrote to seek clarifications (from Jakim)," said Waythamoorthy when quizzed further on what had prompted the query.

However, he declined to comment on the reasons behind Jakim's advice.

"That you must ask the person who gave the directive, not me," said Waythamoorthy when it was pointed out to him that Sabah and Sarawak have for long practised a culture of interfaith prayers, without complaints from any party.

Jakim's advice to be deliberated further

He added that Jakim's advice would be deliberated further by a committee within the Unity Department responsible for promoting understanding and harmony among different faiths.

"Within the department, we have a committee to promote religious understanding. We will leave it to them to decide," he said.

Jakim in its letter to the Unity Department said it was decided at a 2006 national-level meeting among all state fatwa councils that Muslims should not instruct non-Muslims to pray according to their individual faiths as prayers should only be made to Allah SWT.

However, according to the letter sighted by Malaysiakini, there is no restriction for non-Muslims to say their own prayers.

Jakim in a press statement confirmed issuing the advice based on the Unity Department's query, but used the term "tidak mengharuskan" (should not be made to) rather than "dilarang" (not allowed) on the participation of Muslims in interfaith prayers. - Mkini