Former Perlis mufti can preach in Johor

2009/11/08

JOHOR BARU: Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is free to hold religious talks in Johor, at least.

The State Islamic Religious Council stipulates that one does not need a special certification or tauliah to have religious talks here although the person must be an accredited religious figure.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said every religious personality was welcome to Johor, including the embattled former Perlis mufti, to organise talks.

Asri was arrested by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council last Sunday on grounds that he was not certified to hold religious talks in Selangor and was subsequently charged in the syariah court.

"However, should they want to set up a public discourse or events that require a mass audience, they need to get a police permit to hold the gatherings," Ghani said yesterday after attening a Quran recital completion ceremny hosted by UEM Land Bhd.

In another development, the Johor Islamic Religious Council, together with the Terengganu Islamic Foundation and the State Community Development Department, will implement a Al-Quran Smart Programme at all Kemas kindergartens in Johor.

Ghani said the project aimed at creating quality Quran reciters among children, and that five Kemas kindergartens in Gelang Patah had been selected as a pioneer batch.

" The programme for 5- and 6-year-olds will be held for an hour everyday after class."