The Selangor government has instructed the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jais) to invite teachers to a seminar on 'The Thoughts of Anwar Ibrahim' next Monday.

"Jais received instructions to extend the invitation to teachers under Jais' purview, but it is not compulsory to attend," Jais director Haris Kasim said in a statement.

Haris said this after an invitation letter from Jais to Islamic schools in the districts of Petaling and Klang was circulated on social media.

"The department would like to invite you to this seminar," the letter addressed to assistant principals reads.

Haris stressed that the seminar is not a Jais event but is hosted by the state under the purview of Selangor executive councillor in charge of education Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

"The statement linking Jais as the event organiser undermines our credibility as an Islamic affairs department," he said.

Haris also urged all concerned to refer to Jais before making public statements on matters related to the Islamic affairs body.

Umno leaders: Anwar is a convict

Jais' invitation drew flak from Selangor Umno leaders who said the department should exercise more discretion when handing out invitations.

Umno supreme council member Sohaimi Shahadan said it was wrong for Jais to issue the invitation because Anwar's past was not compatible with Islam.

"How is a person convicted of sodomy qualified to share thoughts with youths? Is Jais too 'blind' to see his misdeeds as opposition leader?

"Anwar supported Bersih, an illegal organisation out to topple a government. Anwar also had links with LGBT, liberalism and pluralism," said Sohaimi in a statement to Umno online.

Similarly, Sungai Besar MP and Selangor Umno politician Budiman Mohd Zohdi said Anwar fratenised with groups that were regarded as "deviant" and "haram" by fatwa in Selangor.