KUALA LUMPUR – It is unnecessary to politicise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s act of presiding over a religious conversion ceremony, said Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman.
The religious figure said that since any Muslim can bear witness to the Islamic conversion of other individuals, there was nothing wrong with the ceremony that took place at a mosque in Klang last week.
“The person witnessing a conversion to Islam does not have to be an imam, (as) any Muslim is able to do it. Why should we question and create controversy about something that is good (people embracing Islam)?” Abdul Rahman said when contacted by Scoop.
Noting that the new adherent in question will have to register his religious status at the Islamic Religious Department in the state he resides in, Abdul Rahman said that having the prime minister preside over a conversion should be considered an “honour”.
“It’s a good thing to have the prime minister welcome you as you embrace Islam. Not everyone can have this opportunity.
“We taught him to recite the syahadah and he genuinely wanted to convert to Islam, so we, as Muslims, should not delay his intentions,” he added.
Former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin expressed similar sentiments, defending Anwar’s participation in the conversion process, adding that there is nothing wrong with a Muslim leader facilitating the conversion of someone who wishes to join Islam.
“Just because (Anwar) is the prime minister, he does not stop being a Muslim,” Khairy said in the latest episode of his Keluar Sekejap podcast.
He also said that he consulted former religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri, who confirmed that any Muslim can assist in the conversion process.
Anwar faced criticism recently from certain quarters, who claimed that his participation in the ceremony displayed a “lack of religious sensitivity”. – August 22, 2023