The Selangor government will put a stop to Muslim clerics who deliver sermons during Friday prayers without following the text and strict guidelines set by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais).

Gombak assemblyperson Hasan Ali who is also the state executive councillor in charge or Islamic affairs, said this today in response to an oral question from Paya Jeras BN assemblyperson Muhammad Bushro Mat Johor.

Hasan explained, that to deliver a sermon, a ‘Khatib' or sermon-giver must follow the following guidelines:

  • The Khatib must follow the specific instruction that comes with the approved sermon text;
  • The Khatib must NOT make any additions to the approved text which has been reviewed and edited by Jais;
The Khatib must be certified by the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) or is an ‘Imam' or cleric appointed by the religious council;

  • The Khatib cannot discuss politics or touch on any issues that may incite racial sentiments;
  • The Khatib must deliver his sermon within the stipulated limit of 15 to 20 minutes.
The Khatib must be neatly dressed and someone of stature, not one who is hated or controversial.

But most importantly, Hasan stressed, "anyone who delivers a sermon during Friday prayers must be educated and capable in Islamic knowledge and certified by Mais."

"Furthermore, all sermons must be delivered based on current and Jais approved texts," he added.

An eye on sermon givers

On the mechanisms to look out for errant Khatibs, Hasan said that there is already a system in place whereby the officials and committees of each mosque have been given the task of helping to monitor sermons delivered in their mosques.

The officials, he explained, will work in concert with JAIS' mosque management division based on the sermon format guidelines and evaluation forms issued by the religious authority.

hasan ali umno pas selangor talk quality hotel 300708 05 However, Hasan said that there is no cause for concern as the problem with sermons not adhering to JAIS guidelines only occur in about two to three mosques, from over 500 in the state.

"It's a minor problem, only a fraction of the mosques are problematic," he added.

But nonetheless, Hasan gave the assurance that the DUN that JAIS still take this matter seriously and will do its utmost to root out errant Khatibs. "As the exco responsible, I along with Jais and Mais will continue to monitor the situation."

He added that it is their responsibility to ensure, as per the Selangor Sultan's directive that mosques become restricted zones where politics and issues that may cause disunity among the people are concerned.

This move comes on the heel of a similar step taken by the state religious body to put the screws on religious teachers, who it says do not have its ‘tauliah' or certification to teach Islamic knowledge in the state.

It may be an attempt to streamline the standards of the teaching and preaching of Islam in Selangor.

However, it has been seen as questionable by some like former Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who will be charged on Nov 18 with teaching Islamic knowledge without ‘tauliah' or certification in Selangor.