KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) says the newly-proposed guidelines on Muslim participation in non-Muslim events, including festivities and funerals in non-Muslim houses of worship, may undermine the harmonious nature of Malaysian society.
Its president, Dao Zhang Tan Hoe Chieow, expressed concern that the guidelines mooted by the government, could have implications for religious understanding, tolerance, and acceptance among all Malaysians, Twentytwo13 reported.
“It’s the first week of February, and it’s World Interfaith Harmony Week. This event was created by the United Nations and proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations in 2010,” said Tan.
“And yet, we are being informed of such a matter during this same period,” Tan told Twentytwo13.
Tan’s comments came following a written reply in Parliament by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, to a question by Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) on Tuesday night.
Mohd Na’im stated that event organisers must obtain approval from the authorities and seek the views of Islamic authorities when inviting leaders or Muslims to festive events, funerals, or events held in non-Muslim houses of worship.
The new guidelines, Mohd Na’im said, will outline the involvement of Muslims in non-Muslim festive celebrations. The guidelines include restrictions on speeches, singing, and distributing pamphlets that propagate other religions. They further stipulate that the premises used for such events must not display non-Muslim religious symbols.
The minister added that the proposed updated guidelines would be finalised during the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs meeting, scheduled later this month. Existing guidelines are contained in the Guidelines for Muslims Attending Non-Muslim Festive Celebrations, which were endorsed by the Council’s Fatwa Muzakarah Committee in 2005.
Tan confirmed that the MCCBCHST was not engaged or consulted on the matter, as it primarily concerns Muslims.
“We only learnt of it today. But this is not new. There have been guidelines on Muslims visiting places of worship. We also understand that there is a desire to have guidelines on the dos and don’ts when visiting or entering the places of worship of other religions.”
“However, what I worry most about today is the guideline which states that permission from religious authorities must be obtained before inviting Muslims to events, including funerals, and that premises used for the events must not display non-Muslim religious symbols,” Tan said.
Tan emphasised that removing or omitting religious symbols at non-Muslim places of worship for events attended by Muslims would be insensitive.
“If you go to churches or Taoist temples, there are symbols. I am sorry, but our symbols need to be there as they represent our religion.”
“I think such guidelines will undermine the harmonious nature of Malaysians… the religious understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of all Malaysians. This is what I worry about the most.”
He expressed hope that decision-makers would also be sensitive to other religions.
“Prayers need to be carried out during funerals. And if you are a Muslim and a friend of the deceased, then having such guidelines is akin to telling Muslims not to attend the funerals,” said Tan.
“This is not good for the country. There are so many implications,” he added. – Twentytwo13, February 5, 2025