Do non-Muslims need Jakim approval when they die, Saravanan asks
Published: Feb 5, 2025 4:58 PM
Updated: 8:19 PM
Summary
- MIC deputy president M Saravanan questions if new guidelines on interfaith events mean non-Muslims need Jakim’s approval if they want Muslim friends to pay a visit when they die.
- Saravanan urges Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene, warning the proposal is a liability to the government.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan has criticised the proposed new guidelines for Muslims to attend non-Muslim events, including funerals.
This is especially after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar said organisers of interfaith events need to get approval from the relevant authorities.
“Is the minister saying that every time there is a funeral of a non-Muslim, a Muslim friend must get approval before attending the funeral service?
“When someone dies, do we need to ask for Jakim’s (Islamic Development Department) permission before allowing Muslims wanting to pay their last respects?
“Since the Muslim cemetery is next to the non-Muslim crematorium in Klang, will we have to burn all bodies outside the municipal council building instead?” Saravanan asked in a statement today.
He also questioned whether Jakim’s approval was required if non-Muslims wanted to invite their Muslim friends to a wedding.
Guidelines and forbidden elements
In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, Na’im announced that the government would be introducing new guidelines for events involving Muslims taking place in non-Islamic houses of worship.
The guidelines include having to obtain permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and that the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar
Potentially offensive elements include speeches and songs in the form of religious propaganda; religious pamphlets, performances, or speeches that mock Islam; holding the event during Muslim prayer times; having it close to a surau, mosque, Muslim cemetery, or wakaf (endowment) land; and the premises containing non-Islamic religious symbols.
Na’im said the guidelines will be finalised by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs at the end of the month.
Saravanan said these guidelines disrupt Malaysian unity and are an example of the government using race and religion as tools to divide the people.
He called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in this matter, and for the government to consult with other races before making decisions that affect them.
“This amendment is a liability to the ruling government as it is likely to reduce non-Muslim support towards the government,” he also said.
Last Friday, Anwar admonished those who made an issue about different ethnic groups in the country celebrating the festivals of other communities.
He said the country should serve as a model for strong racial unity.
Meanwhile, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has also voiced concerns about the proposed guidelines.
He said they could hamper Muslim elected representatives from attending community events hosted by non-Muslims.
He said a group of lawmakers plan to meet with Na’im to discuss the new guidelines.
Potentially offensive elements include speeches and songs in the form of religious propaganda; religious pamphlets, performances, or speeches that mock Islam; holding the event during Muslim prayer times; having it close to a surau, mosque, Muslim cemetery, or wakaf (endowment) land; and the premises containing non-Islamic religious symbols.
Na’im said the guidelines will be finalised by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs at the end of the month.
Saravanan said these guidelines disrupt Malaysian unity and are an example of the government using race and religion as tools to divide the people.
He called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in this matter, and for the government to consult with other races before making decisions that affect them.
“This amendment is a liability to the ruling government as it is likely to reduce non-Muslim support towards the government,” he also said.
Last Friday, Anwar admonished those who made an issue about different ethnic groups in the country celebrating the festivals of other communities.
He said the country should serve as a model for strong racial unity.
Meanwhile, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has also voiced concerns about the proposed guidelines.
He said they could hamper Muslim elected representatives from attending community events hosted by non-Muslims.
He said a group of lawmakers plan to meet with Na’im to discuss the new guidelines.
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