Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom has advised Malaysian Muslims against joining the war in Syria.

He said Muslims here must understand the true meaning of jihad (struggle) and must also understand that situations are different in each country.

Jamil Khir said the views from various relevant parties, such as that of the mufti, for example, must be taken into account before making a decision to take sides in a war.

"Even the mujahideen there don't expect others to go to war with them," he said.

The minister said he believes humanitarian aid should instead be given in such situations.

Federal Territory mufti Zulkifli Mohamad, who was also present at the press conference, echoed Jamil Khir's stance, citing a conversation he had with a delegation from Syria recently.

"All they want is food, medication and shelter. They said we don't have to join the war with them," Zulkifli ( left ) said.

Wisma Putra recently revealed that 15 Malaysians, who were involved in violence and jihad activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, were allegedly killed in Syria.

     

The allegations were reportedly made by a Syrian officer in New York, at a media conference on June 18, and he also said that apart from Malaysians, people from several Asean countries were also involved in such activities in Syria.    

On a separate matter, Jamil Khir said it was up to the particular states to rule whether statements made by political activist Kassim Ahmad were kufur (disbelief) or otherwise.

The Terengganu Fatwa Committee yesterday ruled that statements made by Kassim at a seminar organised by the Perdana Leadership Foundation in February, as kufur .

Kassim had, among other statements made then, said the hair of Muslim women was something that need not be covered.