KUALA LUMPUR – The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has stated his disagreement with the move to create guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events.
His Majesty said that as the head of Islam in Selangor, he viewed the proposal for the guidelines to have been made at an inappropriate time when citizens of different races and religions are striving to strengthen national unity.
“The polemics that have arisen have caused anxiety and affects the harmony that has already been established,” Sultan Sharafuddin said in a statement posted on the the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page.
“His Majesty reminds that as a plural country with its citizens following various religions and beliefs, religious tolerance should not be compromised. At the same time, every citizen needs to respect and acknowledge that Islam is the religion of the federation as enshrined in the Constitution of Malaysia,” the ruler also said.
He also reminded Muslims in the state to continuously strengthen their faith through knowledge.
“When every Muslim has strong faith and is established in the confidence of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, then we will not be easily misled or influenced by external factors,” the Sultan added.
The ruler’s statement follows the cabinet’s decision yesterday that there is no need for the proposed guidelines which were raised by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar in a written parliamentary reply earlier this week.
After days of backlash, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday the cabinet agreed such guidelines were unnecessary. Any advice issued to Muslims on such matters by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is to not to be deemed as policy, Anwar added.
The proposed guidelines would have required non-Muslims to ensure that their events or celebrations must not include actions or symbols that could offend Muslims. They must also obtain permission from the authorities if Muslims are to participate or be involved in a non-Muslim event. – February 8, 2025