Penang temple's Hari Raya do risks confusion, replaced with 'unity banquet'

 

The Thean Hock Keong temple association’s cancelled Hari Raya open house event in Penang could have led to confusion among Muslims if it had been allowed to proceed, said state mufti Sukki Othman.

Sukki said the association’s Hari Raya event, which has since been replaced with a jamuan perpaduan (unity banquet), could potentially have afforded “recognition” to other religious rituals or practices.

“Among the concerns that may arise is the issue of a non-Islamic house of worship acting as organisers, which is indirectly linked to specific religious identities and symbols.

“In this context, there are sensitivities that must be guarded to avoid creating the impression that there is recognition of other religious rituals or practices in a manner that could confuse Muslims,” Sukki (above) told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He added that members of the public who lack sufficient understanding may be exposed to misconceptions regarding the boundaries of inter-religious interaction in Islam.

“Prohibitions in certain contexts do not mean closing the space for inter-religious interaction, but rather organising the form and methods of such interaction to align with syariah principles and avoid sensitivities,” Sukki said.

He also said the approach taken by religious authorities should be understood as an effort to find a balance between preserving principles of faith while maintaining social harmony.

Earlier today, it was reported that the temple association had been barred from holding a Hari Raya open house following the Penang Islamic Religious Department’s (JHEAIPP) classification of the event as a Muslim religious activity.

This is according to a March 31 notice from JHEAIPP to the temple association, with the department stating that all Islamic religious activities, including celebrations related to Hari Raya, require permission from the Penang Islamic Religious Council.

Careful planning

In an April 5 letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the association’s secretary, Ng Choong Seong, claimed the cancellation of the event came after a complaint was lodged.

He added that the event was carefully planned in line with guidance from the Penang National Unity and Integration Department, with the association also consulting local mosque and surau leaders, as well as community representatives who had expressed support for the event.

Thean Hock Keong temple association secretary Ng Choong Seong

Stressing that all food would have been halal and sourced from catering businesses run by residents, Ng also said the association had revised its original promotional poster - including the event title, organiser’s name, and venue.

This came following feedback from various parties who found the initial version “somewhat inappropriate”.

“...we still respect the decision by JHEAIPP to cancel the programme, even though its main purpose was to foster unity among the community,” Ng said in the letter.

New poster

In a separate statement today, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohamad Abdul Hamid confirmed that the JHEAIPP had received a complaint from the Penang Malay Natives Association regarding the temple group’s proposed Hari Raya programme.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohamad Abdul Hamid

Mohamad said a poster for the event, initially set to take place on April 11 in front of the Thean Hock Hong temple in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, had confused the public.

He added that to replace the cancelled Hari Raya open house, the Penang Zhao Zi Long Culture and Arts Association will instead organise a unity banquet with Bagan Ajam residents on the same date at the Dewan Panorama Bagan Ajam.

Checks by Malaysiakini found that the second version of the poster designed by the temple association is now being used to promote the rebranded event. - Mkini