Mujahid: Rulers stepping in to protect image of Islam

Amanah vice-president says the Selangor sultan's instructions are fair and wise, and in the interest of the wider community.

PETALING JAYA: Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa today praised Malaysia’s rulers, saying they are playing their roles as symbols and protectors of Islam.

He was responding to the two new measures announced by the Selangor palace: that all religious talks in mosques and suraus be recorded, and that the volume of religious lectures, other than the azan and Quranic recitations, be limited to within the vicinity of the mosque.

Mujahid said the royals had to step in as “there are many incidents that have tainted the image of Islam”.

“There are religious lectures by preachers that do not concur with Islam as a religion of peace, and as a religion that promotes peaceful coexistence with others.

“By giving such instructions (to record the lectures), say if anything is stirred, then there is evidence.

“It is very wise of the sultan to do this, as a guardian of Islam. It is quite a fair intervention,” he told FMT when contacted.

Mujahid said there was also wisdom in the instructions given by the palace for the use of loudspeakers to be limited to within the mosque vicinity.

“There are neighbours who have small children. There are those who may be sick and need rest.

“While there is good intent in broadcasting the lectures for the neighbours to hear, at the same time you are disturbing others.

“Reducing the volume, except for the azan, is a fair instruction. The sultan understands that to protect the good image of Islam, it is the right time for the sultan to instruct,” he said.

Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim meanwhile said the role of the rulers was crucial, not only to the people but to the preservation of the monarchy in Malaysia.

“People who are disposed to destroying traditions and culture will not make exceptions to preserve hereditary rulers,” he said.

He added that many Muslims throughout the country welcomed the Malay Rulers’ decisions, and that Islam had been used, often wrongfully, for politics.

“The country as a whole will be better when the Malay Rulers take charge of Islamic affairs, as they were tasked to do when we got independence.

“They will be more proactive from now on, I believe,” he said.

The instructions were announced yesterday, together with the sultan’s decision to revoke the religious teaching credentials of controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin, who allegedly criticised the royalty in his defence of a laundrette in Johor which imposed a Muslims-only customer policy. -FMT