PAS rep questions Pahang's decision to bar him from teaching at mosque

 

A PAS Pahang state representative has raised questions over the state religious authority's move to ban him from preaching at a mosque in Jengka, where he had actively given lectures for the past three years.

Mujibur Rahman Ishak, who is the state assemblyperson for Chenor, in a Facebook post yesterday asked why he was barred from continuing his kuliah (religious classes), saying that he had never touched on politics in his preaches.

"As a teacher, insya Allah I choose to be professional. I have never mentioned PAS or any other political parties during my classes.

"We only spoke about the Quran and hadith (the prophet's teaching), about Islam and enemies of Islam.

"But why is this happening (the ban)?" Mujibur said.

Mujibur's Facebook post also shared a comment by Kuala Sentul state assemblyperson Jasri Jamaludin, who first highlighted the issue where he alleged that the ban against Mujibur was politically motivated.

In a response, Pahang state exco member Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, who is in charge of the state's Islamic religious affairs, shared a statement saying that any individual or group that wants to conduct activities or teach at mosques in the state has to get written approval from the respective district religious departments.

He said the state government takes seriously the Pahang ruler's decree that mosques must not be politicised and no ceramah organised by political parties can be allowed.

This applies to all, including those who are aligned with the state government, Syed Ibrahim stressed.

"...the guidelines issued by the Pahang state mufti, Pahang Religious Affairs Department, and Pahang Islamic and Malay Customs Council are significant to ensure that no preacher would spread teachings that are not in line with the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, Asyairah, and Matrudiah.

"If any party wishes to hold a class or any activity at a mosque or surau through any NGO, they need to get written approval from the respective district religious departments, so they can be conducted in line with the ruler's decree and guidelines that have been issued by the state religious authorities," Syed Ibrahim said. - Mkini