PAS has reminded Muslims once more against visiting other houses of worship, with the party’s Selangor leader Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi saying that Muslims should abide by a directive restricting them from visiting other houses of worships to learn more about other faiths.
This comes only hours after the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had said that there is nothing wrong with Muslims attending a wedding or a wake held at a church.
However, the ruler added that Muslims must not take part in the rituals or practices at either temples or churches.
According to Ahmad Yunus, it was crucial to preserve tolerance and the mutual respect among the multi-racial communities in Selangor for the stability and prosperity of the state.
“PAS will always emphasise this aspect and at the same time make sure that the restriction would be upheld by all parties,” the Kuala Langat MP remarked in a statement.
“Tolerance and mutual respect are important and PAS Selangor would make sure that nobody threatens the existing harmony.”
In an interview with The Star yesterday (March 26) Sultan Sharafuddin said while Muslims can attend ceremonies such as funerals or wakes at non-Muslim houses of worship, they should remain observers and not join in any prayers or rituals.
Sultan Sharafuddin also commented on the recent Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) claims that activities – where Muslims visit non-Muslim houses of worship such as temples, churches, and gurdwaras to learn about these religions apart from their own – should be rejected and restricted.
He said their message was correct and clear and it was best to avoid confusion and misunderstandings since there are laws preventing the proselytisation of other religions to Muslims.
He also urged that politicians not use religion to further their agendas and to do their homework before criticising MAIS.
“Only I, as the head of Islam in Selangor and MAIS are the authorities of the religion in the state. Politicians can say whatever they want but they do not have the final say or authority,” he said. – March 27, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi
