INTERVIEW | As the new minister in the Prime Minister's Department overseeing religious affairs, Mujahid Yusof Rawa has no plans to shy away from issues which have grabbed public attention, among them, those surrounding human rights and multi-religiosity in the country.

According to Mujahid, those matters are often at the centre of various misunderstandings and so require a coordinated stance taking into account the views of religion and government.

"I will address these matters (issues in the public eye). For example issues on human rights, the different faiths and races. These can bring about a lot of misunderstanding.

"We are not just a Muslim administration but we must look at the Islamic view and the today's government's view so we can align those with our (his ministry's) stand (on these matters).

"People will seek the view of the minister on religion and we must cultivate (a stance) based on the current needs," he said in an interview with Malaysiakini.

Consult Islamic tenets

Elaborating further, the Amanah vice-president said he would attempt to resolve issues pertaining to child custody disputes, such as in the case of M Indira Gandhi, in accordance with various views within Islamic jurisprudence and not rely solely on one point of view.

Indira's case revolved around the unilateral conversion of her three children to Islam by her ex-husband in 2009.

The Syariah Court had later granted custody of the children to Indira's former spouse while a few months later, the civil High Court granted custody to her.

The case dragged on for years, culminating in a unanimous January verdict by the apex court which ruled that the consent of both parents are needed in the conversion of minors.

It also affirmed the earlier High Court's decision that the unilateral conversion of Indira's children went against international norms and that the civil courts were superior to the syariah courts.

"The issue (of Indira) is more towards the conflict between syariah and civil courts. This is not new and I've merely inherited this dilemma.

"We must not necessarily be tied to just one point of view. If there is a legal issue or dispute in this country, there must be room for scholars in Islamic jurisprudence (ahli fekah) to give their views.

"If something cannot be solved according to Syafie school of thought, then we can try looking to other school of thoughts, as long as they are in the same shariah state," said Mujahid, who is the son of the late Pas president Yusof Rawa.

In no haste to make changes

Even so, he stressed that he would not act hastily in making changes to his portfolio just yet.

He explained that although the people were expecting the Pakatan Harapan government to make changes to the administration, such things could not be rushed.

This is as there are several factors which much first be ascertained before any decisions can be made.

"I can't make rushed decisions. I would first need to obtain a clear view in the importance of changing the agenda (on his portfolio), and the process that is required to so do, in any context," the Parit Buntar parliamentarian said.

He added that it could well turn out, upon obtaining a full picture of the existing problems, that some things may not require changing.

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