Selangor ban on politicians teaching Islam to kick in on Dec 31
The coming new year will see politicians and political operatives no longer allowed to teach Islam in Selangor.
In line with this, the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) said their accreditation (tauliah) will be revoked effective Dec 31, and that no further accreditation will be given to those who are politically active.
Mais chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (above) said this is in line
The upcoming new year will see politicians and political operatives no longer allowed to teach Islam in Selangor.
In line with this, the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) said their accreditation (tauliah) will be revoked effective Dec 31, and that no further accreditation will be given to those who are politically active.
Mais chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (above) said this is in line with the decree of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah barring Islam from being politicised and used as a political tool, especially in mosques and surau.
"To protect the sanctity of Islam in Selangor, the sultan does not assent to grant accreditation to teach Islam to any political activist.
"(This is) out of concern that it can be misused for the political interest of any party, which will ultimately cause slander, friction and division among Muslims in Selangor while also smearing the religion," Abdul Aziz said in a statement today.
An exemption has been given to whoever holds the Islamic affairs portfolio in Selangor, on the condition that any teachings on Islam do not include or touch on any political matters.
The decision to bar politicians from teaching Islam in Selangor was first made in the Selangor Royal Court council in March 2019 and was reaffirmed in August this year.
Teaching Islam without accreditation in Selangor is in violation of Selangor's syariah laws and is punishable with a fine of up to RM3,000 or two years’ jail or both.
Abdul Aziz said this punishment also applies to those who would insult, disobey, or question the Selangor sultan's decrees in relation to Islam, as he is the head of religion in the state.
Accreditation to preach in other states can't be used to preach in Selangor, although exemptions are granted to muftis, syariah court judges, university Islamic faculty lecturers and a few others.
The prohibition also appears to extend beyond mosques and surau.
In 2009, Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who is now the Perlis mufti, was also arrested and charged for teaching Islam at a bungalow in Selangor without accreditation. He was not the Perlis mufti at the time.
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