Universiti Islam Malaysia (UIM) aims to make the roles of the country’s current and former muftis more significant, and to bring them closer to the community.

UIM president Prof Dr Mohd Yusof Noor said that at present, the role of the muftis was seen to be limited to merely expressing their views in their respective states, where in reality, the group could be regarded as a national asset.

“I find we are at a loss, as many who have served as muftis including those retired, were not fully appreciated. Their views and knowledge can actually unite Muslims,” he told reporters after launching the first series of the ‘Talaqqi Kitab Bersanad’ (Learning of Religious Scholarly Books) programme in Cyberjaya yesterday.

Citing Egypt, which has the ‘Majlis Hay’at Kibar al-Ulama’ or Council of the Assembly of Senior Ulama that serves as a platform to convey the message of Islam, Mohd Yusof said all current and former muftis nationwide could, on a rotational basis, engage with syarie (Islamic jurisprudence) students in a monthly talaqqi programme.

“The arrival of a leader (Dr Sheikh Salim Alwan al-Husainiyy) from Australia has made me aware about the opportunities that exist in our own country. We have many leaders, why can’t we make this of ours?” he said, adding UIM was ready to pioneer the concept.

The talaqqi programme organised by UIM today was conducted by the chairperson of Darulfatwa, the Islamic High Council of Australia, Dr Sheikh Salim Alwan al-Husainiyy in Arabic, with the help of two translators, namely, former Federal Territory mufti Wan Zahidi Wan Teh, and Baitussaadah Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies principal Dr Ustaz Mohd Sobri Elias.

- Bernama