Selangor exco: Events involving Muslims at non-Muslim places of worship barred

The Selangor state government has lauded programmes aimed at building understanding and tolerance between practitioners of different faiths.

However, state Religious Affairs exco Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni said any programme involving Muslims at non-Muslim houses of worship is not allowed.

Selangor Religious Affairs exco Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni

"Such efforts (to encourage tolerance) are lauded by the state government, but programmes must follow guidelines set by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) especially involving legal factors.

"The rules have been set that any programmes involving Muslims at houses of worship besides Muslim ones are prohibited altogether," he said in a statement today.

This remark comes amid an uproar from the opposition claiming alleged "Christian evangelism" over Impact Malaysia’s “Projek Artikel 11” which involved youth visiting houses of worship as part of the agency’s efforts to increase awareness of the country’s diverse society.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh - whose ministry oversees Impact Malaysia - said no Muslim youths were involved in the programme.

While not referring to Projek Artikel 11, Zawawi said Jais would be taking action against anyone who violated rules under Sections 5 and 6 of the Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) Enactment.

Section 5 penalises anyone who persuades, influences, or allows a minor who is Muslim to receive instruction in any non-Islamic religion; or to take part in any ceremony, act of worship, or religious activity of any non-Islamic religion; or take part in any activity for the benefit of a non-Islamic religion that is sponsored by any institution associated with a non-Islamic religion.

Those who violate this section can be jailed for up to one year or fined up to RM10,000, or both.

Meanwhile, Section 6 prohibits anyone from calling on, arranging a meeting, or communicating in any way with a Muslim for the purpose of subjecting the Muslim to any speech on or display of any matter concerning a non-Islamic religion.

Section 6 is punishable with a jail term of up to six months, a fine of up to RM5,000, or both.

Zawawi said NGOs must be careful in organising programme involving religious sensitivities and to contact Jais or the Selangor Mufti's Department for further information.

He hoped that Jais and the state mufti department would extend their cooperation to such groups, especially on guidelines regarding religious programmes at other religions’ houses of worship. - Mkini