Education Ministry urged to add studies on Syiah in Islamic studies
Penang Mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor has taken a more tolerant approach to Syiah followers although his peers have deemed the community a threat to the mostly Sunni sect in Malaysia.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Wan Salim said education is key to resolving the issue and called for more tolerance for the Syiahs and other religious groups who differ from Islam...
Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor has taken a more tolerant approach to Syiah followers although his peers have deemed the community a threat to the mostly Sunni sect in Malaysia.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Wan Salim said education is key to resolving the issue and called for more tolerance for the Syiahs and other religious groups that differ from Islam.
He urged the Education Ministry to include the understanding of Syiah into the school's Islamic studies curriculum.
Wan Salim said the studies should include the historical aspect of Syiah, its origin, principles of faith and main practices.
"Educating Muslims on the issue is the best and most effective way to overcome the Syiah-phobia here.
"We must use the informative approach instead of indoctrination, with emphasis on the need to be tolerant to those who are from different Islamic sects and belief.
"Teachers who teach students on religious matters need to be specially trained so that they can effectively send the right message to their pupils," he added.
Wan Salim (below) said Syiah and other religious communities must be approached and handled with care, professionalism instead of violence.
Wan Salim's remarks came in the wake of more arrests of foreign nationals during raids at private functions held in Johor and Selangor.
On Sept 9, two dozen officers from the Johor Islamic Affairs Department accompanied by police reportedly crashed a function in Kempas at about 11pm.
The function was to mark Ashura, the death anniversary of Husin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a central figure in Syiah Islam.
Eight people, including a Yemeni and a Singaporean, were arrested and believed to be investigated under Section 9 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment, which deals with those violating the orders of the sultan, mufti and fatwa.
The provision carries a maximum punishment of an RM3,000 fine and a year's jail.
Wan Salim said in the era of globalisation, the international community ought to be more tolerant and adopt an open approach to all kinds of perspectives and faiths.
"There are many countries with citizens from different ethnic groups, religions and culture.
"These new phenomena need to be managed wisely by the country leaders so that good and harmonious relations can be maintained among all communities, " he said.
"With this, we will be able to avoid any tension between the different communities, which will only incur losses to all," he added.
Wan Salim advised Syiah followers to carry out their events in private and not to attract undue attention of those who lacked the knowledge and understanding of their belief system.
Syiah Islam is the second-largest religious denomination in the country, but has been deemed as deviant.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.