KLANG: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, today expressed worry over numerous threats that could defile the sanctity and noblity of Islam and weaken Muslims in Selangor and the country.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he was informed that the Selangor Mufti Department had identified 45 deviant teachings, up to December.
He said the liberalism ideology which championed equality and bringing with it the LGBT culture must be tackled quickly and effectively so that it would not be a trend that would surely destroy the Muslim community in the country.
“The proliferation and spread of the teachings is not a small matter and cannot be treated lightly.
“What is more worrying to me, some of them take an extreme approach, which can threaten national security.
“Such threats are unseen and are destroying Islam and its followers from within,” Sultan Sharafuddin said at Istana Alam Shah, here today where he handed letters of appointment to the nazir and imam of mosques in Selangor .
Also present were the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, other members of the royal family, Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and state dignitaries.
To overcome such threats, he said the study of the faith based on the sunni teachings must be boosted at mosques so that it would continue to be the basis of the faith of Muslims in the country.
Sultan Sharafuddin also reminded nazir, imam and mosque committees to only invite preachers who were accredited by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) for ceramah at mosques and surau.
“Foreign preachers, as I have said on Aug 21, 2015, are only allowed to deliver their ceramah at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque (state mosque), Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque, Bukit Jelutong and Sultan Suleiman Mosque, Klang, that too after a special accreditation is obtained form MAIS,” he said.
He also expressed deep concern over the disunity that had occurred among Muslims in Selangor because of political differences.
He pointed out that all politicians, especially elected representatives, whether state or Parliament, from government or opposition parties, were not allowed to hold ceramah and deliver speeches in mosques or surau.
This is because he wants all mosques and surau to be free of party politics to prevent them from being changed from a platform for uniting Muslims to that of dividing them.
“I also do not allow any form of defamation and dissemination of false news as it may disgrace certain individuals. The news or information received must be reviewed first to confirm its validity,” he said.
“Do not be an agent that destroys the lives of the people by engaging in spreading false news and defamation.
“Islam clearly forbids its people from spreading false news and defaming one another,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised all parties to make the mosque the most respected place and the foundation to build social harmony.
He also reminded mosque administrators to work hard to ensure that the institution fulfilled its function as a comfortable Muslim place of worship and a platform for the unity of Muslims.
The sultan said he was hopeful that the mosque institution would be administered and managed with professionalism and sincerity, without self interest.
He said nazir, imam and members of mosque committees should always comply with the Mosques and Surau Regulations (Selangor) 2017, Guidelines, Circular and Directives issued by MAIS and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).
“I stress that all mosques and surau conducting Friday prayers should read the sermon issued by MAIS through the Selangor State Sermon Committee.
“I will not consent to it if any imam of a mosque or surau does not read or adds to the sermon
text prepared by the committee,” he said.
The sultan also advised all nazir, imam and members of mosque committees to understand MAIS’s aspiration and inspiration in matters related to the management of the institution.
In dealing with the disunity crisis among Muslims, he said, mosque administrators must be creative and dynamic in mobilising community-centered activities to build ties more effectively.
“The opportunity to serve in the mosque institution endowed by God to the nazir and imam should be used as best as possible to help MAIS and JAIS guide the members of the community.
“The duties and responsibilities and the trust given by MAIS and members of the community are great trusts from God,” he said.
At the ceremony, Sultan Sharafuddin consented to the appointment of 827 nazir and imam from all mosques throughout Selangor and 1,215 mosque nazir and imam were qualified to be commissioned for the 2019 to 2021 session. -- Bernama