The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) is investigating a video that has gone viral since yesterday showing a VIP who allegedly jumped the queue at a mosque to perform Friday prayers.
Deputy Minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (above) stressed that all worshippers should be treated equally, adding that there is no such thing as VIPs at mosques.
He said the mosque management should use their discretion and not submit to the whims of certain groups, adding that the department is waiting for the explanation on the matter by the relevant mosque.
“Even I will queue when at the mosque, the most important thing is (worshippers) should come early to get a spot,” he added.
He said this to reporters after attending a programme hosted by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia and Bank Islam to distribute food baskets and cash donations to 25 rickshaw drivers at Dataran Muhammadi, Kota Bharu today.
The video drew attention and criticism from netizens, who questioned the different treatment between dignitaries and ordinary people.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Marzuk said, the department will continue to update the standard operating procedures (SOPs) involving the presence of worshippers at mosques from time to time, adding that currently, the number of worshippers allowed to attend prayers is still limited.
“However, the government views this matter seriously and we will renew the SOPs when necessary.
“The Covid-19 infection rate is also one of the considerations for us to renew the SOPs to allow more worshippers to perform prayers at mosques, but the most important thing now is for the country to reach herd immunity first to curb the Covid-19 outbreak,” he added.
- Bernama
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