Penang Islamic dept shuts door on temple association's Hari Raya open house

 

The Thean Hock Keong temple association in Penang has been barred from holding a Hari Raya open house, an event it said was meant to “foster unity, strengthen ties of friendship, and reinforce harmony in the local community”.

However, the Penang Islamic Religious Department (JHEAIPP) classified the event as a Muslim religious activity.

“Since the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is one of the religious activities of the Muslim community, Tean Hock Keong Association is not permitted to organise the open house event.

“For the association’s information, all Islamic religious activities, including celebrations related to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, require permission from the Penang Islamic Religious Council,” said the department’s director, Marzuki Hassan, in a letter.

Expressing disappointment, the association’s secretary Ng Choong Seong told Free Malaysia Today that the event had been carefully planned in line with guidance from the Penang National Unity and Integration Department.

The association had also consulted with local mosque and surau leaders, as well as community representatives who had expressed support, he said.

Thean Hock Keong temple association secretary Ng Choong Seong

He added that all food would have been halal and sourced from catering businesses run by residents, as a way of supporting the community.

The association also said it had revised its original promotional poster - including the event title, organiser’s name, and venue - following feedback from various parties who found the initial version “somewhat inappropriate”.

“Our association regrets that there were complaints that led to this meaningful event being scrapped,” Ng said.

“Although we agreed to change the location and title of this programme, we still respect the decision by JHEAIPP to cancel the programme, despite its main purpose to foster unity within the community,” he added. - Mkini