Shia Islam, Jakim among topics discussed with CEP - Penang mufti

Shia Islam and the relevance of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) were among the topics discussed when the Council of Eminent Persons met with several Islamic religious figures in Kuala Lumpur today.

Sharing this information, Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said he reiterated his stance on Shia Islam during the meeting.

Wan Salim said followers of the sect cannot be “punished” as kafirs(infidels) given that even the Saudi Arabian government allows its adherents to perform the hajj in Mecca.

"When I commented about Shia Islam the last time, I received a lot of criticism, and when the media asked whether Shia followers can be considered infidels, I said no.

"I said if they are infidels, the Saudi Arabian government would certainly not allow them to perform the hajj.

"It's just that in this sect, there are certain teachings which are not formally recognised as Shia, just like there are deviant teachings in Sunni Islam," he said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

Jakim should be maintained

Wan Salim also said he told the Council of Eminent Persons that Jakim should be maintained.

"If it is dissolved, we will go back to the era of the 1950s and 1960s.

“I would say the agency is still relevant as coordinators for the (Islamic religious bodies in the) states. For instance, in matters pertaining to the issuance of fatwa, prayer times, fasting and the celebration of Hari Raya," he said.

Also present at the session was Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer and author Faisal Tehrani.

According to Faisal, he told the council that matters pertaining to Islam should also be referred to academics and scientists, instead of just relying on ulama and religious figures.

"This is not something new, it is done by the Singaporean Islamic Religious Council, which also contains law experts and sociologists on its advisory board," he said.

Also present at today’s meeting with the council were Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and Johor mufti M Tahrir Kiyai Samsudin. -Mkini