Let Bon Odori fest proceed, Selangor sultan tells Jais
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah also instructed Jais and MBSA officers to attend the festival to ‘see for themselves’ what it involved. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has instructed the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) to allow the Bon Odori festival scheduled for next month to proceed.
In a statement, Jais said Sultan Sharafuddin also instructed Jais and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers to attend Bon Odori to “see for themselves” what takes place at the festival.
Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad added that the sultan himself had attended the festival several years ago and did not find that it was detrimental to the practice of the Islamic faith.
This comes in the wake of religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad advising Muslims not to take part in the annual festival, claiming that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”, following research by Jakim, the Islamic development department.
However, yesterday, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the festival would go on next month.
He also said the state government would be in touch with the Japanese embassy and researchers in relevant fields to get detailed information on the festival since the government had never received any objections over the last 30 years.
The annual Bon Odori festival, organised by the Japanese community in Malaysia, is making a return after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19. It will be held in Shah Alam on July 16 and in Penang on July 30.
The festival showcases Japanese culture and includes drum performances and the Bon Odori dance.
PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has instructed the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) to allow the Bon Odori festival scheduled for next month to proceed.
In a statement, Jais said Sultan Sharafuddin also instructed Jais and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers to attend Bon Odori to “see for themselves” what takes place at the festival.
Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad added that the sultan himself had attended the festival several years ago and did not find that it was detrimental to the practice of the Islamic faith.
This comes in the wake of religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad advising Muslims not to take part in the annual festival, claiming that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”, following research by Jakim, the Islamic development department.
However, yesterday, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the festival would go on next month.
He also said the state government would be in touch with the Japanese embassy and researchers in relevant fields to get detailed information on the festival since the government had never received any objections over the last 30 years.
The annual Bon Odori festival, organised by the Japanese community in Malaysia, is making a return after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19. It will be held in Shah Alam on July 16 and in Penang on July 30.
The festival showcases Japanese culture and includes drum performances and the Bon Odori dance.
Penang Mufti already publicly stated Muslims must avoid attending Bon Odori..as it may pollute their religious beliefs..Akidah...
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