Is Minister Idris Ahmad saying Malaysian Muslims should not visit overseas countries, especially Japan???

Why pander to Japan if you’re against their festivals, NGO asks Idris Ahmad




THERE is no point in us seeking good faith from Japan when we have ministers who attempting to restrict Muslims from participating in their cultural events, said the Malaysian Indian Voice (MIV).

“What’s the point of having many ministers, including the Prime Minister, visit Japan for business dealings when one of them discourage our own citizens from participating in their annual cultural programme held here?

“Can Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob explain this to us? I’m baffled by the irony actually,” its chairman V Pappa Raidu told FocusM.

Yesterday, Bernama reported Islamic affairs minister Idris Ahmad as reminding Muslims to stay away from the Japanese community’s annual Bon Odori summer festival, alleging that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.

Idris also said that a study conducted by conducted by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) had confirmed the matter.

“Therefore, we are advising the Muslims not to participate in the festival or any other programmes that are against their faith and creed,” he was reported as saying.

However, Idris’ advisory drew sharp rebuke from Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) councillor Muhammad Shakir Ameer Mohideen, who added that Bon Odori has been observed in Malaysia for 30 years and does not contain non-Islamic religious influence or rituals that can lead Muslims astray.

“From my understanding, the main attraction is the musical elements of it such as the dance and the drums… Why does it have to become an issue now?

“Muslims should be given the chance to evaluate themselves on various cultural celebrations in a very diverse Malaysia.“We cannot allow opinions from PAS leaders to deny us Malaysians from embracing cultural diversity,” Malaysiakini reported Shakir saying.

Bon Odori is a dance programme performed during the summer, a religious and cultural festival originating from Japan.

How would Japan view this?

Due to strong ties with Japan, Malaysia organises the annual Bon Odori festival in Penang, Selangor and Sabah.

The event in Selangor, scheduled to be held in Kompleks Sukan Negara in Shah Alam this year, is organised by the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur and the Japanese Embassy, supported by the state government.

On that note, Pappa Raidu said it seemed that PAS leaders need constant reminders on Malaysia being a multiracial country that allows every community to celebrate their festivities.

With Idris calling for Muslims to avoid the festival, he queried on how the Japanese government would look at the matter from a political and economic stand point.

“This is why we cannot have narrow-minded people from PAS governing us. Their extreme views are not suitable for multiracial country like Malaysia,” he remarked. – June 7, 2022