Those who misuse mosques not welcome in S'gor
Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today hit out at critics over his decree against the use of mosques for political purposes and said they were not welcome in his state.
Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today hit out at critics over his decree against the use of mosques for political purposes and said they were not welcome in his state.
It is believed that the sultan was referring to PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s claim during the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign period that the decree was 'outdated'.
During his officiation speech at the Sekolah Agama Menengah Tinggi Sultan Hisammuddin in Klang, the sultan said everyone must respect rules and laws of the state.
“If a person does not agree with the laws of Selangor, he must avoid from coming to Selangor,” he said.
He said that the situation nowadays cannot be compared to the times of Prophet Muhammad as there are plenty of other venues suited for political discourse.
“During the prophet’s time, there were no other suitable venue for discussions and ceramahs. Now everywhere there are stadiums, community halls and convention centres,” said the Sultan.
The sultan said that he was concerned over the misuse of the mosques by politicians who spread slander and lies as well as to preserve the sanctity of the mosque.
“If the situation is not contained and stopped, it may cause disunity and squabbling amongst Muslims here,” he added.
'Unaware of decree'
Controversy over political activities in mosques in the run-up to the recent Hulu Selangor by-election led the Selangor Sultan to warn politicians last Thursday against the use of mosques and surau for politically-related activities.
Despite the royal order, several key political leaders including PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and the party’s Selangor chief Dr Hasan Ali were alleged to have to delivered lectures at mosques at various locations in Hulu Selangor.
Nik Abdul Aziz was then reported to have said that he did not see anything wrong with campaigning in mosques and described the sultan’s directive as ‘outdated’.
Last Saturday, on the eve of polling for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak attacked Nik Aziz's alleged criticism of the sultan order as ‘a serious defiance’.
Najib said all parties should respect the sultan's directive.
On Monday, Nik Aziz said he was unaware of such a decree adding that he would know better than to slight the feelings of a ruler.
"It never crossed my mind I was slighting the Sultan of Selangor. When reporters asked me about the matter, I merely said that mosques could be used for political reasons because the call of azan for people to congregate and for prayers is considered a political action.
"Mosques are a place for politics and I was unaware of the decree by the Sultan of Selangor because to me politics and religion are inseparable.
