Don’t just follow any opinion, Jamil Khir tells Muslims

After the dispute over wearing the kurta, minister says to abide by the source.

GUAR CEMPEDAK: Muslims should not blindly follow the opinion of individuals in religious matters but refer to the right source, such as the National Fatwa Council, a federal minister said today.

Jamil Khir Baharom of the Prime Minister’s Department, who is de facto Islamic affairs minister, said Muslims should not fall into traps laid to cause religious tension through Islamic issues and controversies.

Muslims should obtain the correct information on Islamic issues and not simply trust the opinion of certain individuals.

“Don’t create or spread lies that will only cause factions among the Muslims because this will lead to hostility and hatred, which are prohibited in Islam.”

He said the controversy over the kurta and flower garland donned by prime minister Najib Razak at the Thaipusam celebrations in Batu Caves on Tuesday, should not have become an Islamic issue as it was simply about respecting the culture and tradition of the Indian community.

“Kurta is a traditional attire, it has nothing to do with the concept of worshipping or religious teachings and practices. The garland of flowers is used by the Indian community to show respect to honoured guests. The public need to understand this, the Fatwa Council has never issued any ban on this,” he said.

Yesterday, the Jakim, the Islamic affairs department, also issued a statement saying that Najib’s presence during the Thaipusam celebrations in Batu Caves did not go against Islamic laws.

– BERNAMA