The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, today clarified that his intention in prohibiting the use of mosques as arenas for politicking was to maintain the sanctity of and harmony at the house of worship.

"This is because mosques and suraus are places where Muslims gather to perform their religious obligations and to foster closer relationship among them.

"If mosques and surau are allowed to be used as arenas for political campaigns, it is feared that they will be misused to insult, slander and make baseless accusations at others," said the sultan when opening Sekolah Menengah Agama Tinggi Sultan Hishamuddin here today.

He said he had to make the clarification in view of some politicians regarding his advice as nonsensical and a colonial legacy.

- Bernama