Selangor sultan: Ban on politics at mosques due to divisive partisanship

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah issued a reminder today that mosques and surau are not to be used for politics.

He said some preachers have used this platform to spread hateful remarks previously, prompting the state to tighten rules on who can deliver lectures and sermons at Muslim places of worship

“Mosques and surau should not be a source of strife that ends up dividing Muslims due to political differences and political vendettas that have no end.

“This happens when some preachers, when giving lectures at mosques and surau, took the opportunity to chide, insult, and even slander certain quarters and groups due to political differences,” the monarch said.

He said this while officiating the first Selangor state legislature session of the year today.

Sultan Sharafuddin added that such partisan lectures caused concern that it can divide Muslims and Malays, hence he decreed that only those with accreditation (tauliah) can give sermons and lectures at Muslim places of worship.

Selangor’s ban on politicians preaching Islam had been enacted at the start of the new year.

Previously, popular preachers Azhar Idrus and Wadi Annuar have had to cancel their lectures in Selangor due to a lack of accreditation.

Both preachers are alleged to be pro-Perikatan Nasional and their cancelled lectures became political fodder for criticising the Selangor state government and religious authorities.

Sultan Sharafuddin, however, urged the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) and Islamic Council (Mais) to continue ensuring that mosques and surau are free from political elements by enforcing the accreditation requirements.

The monarch urged Mais to continue issuing reminders, including during the upcoming Selangor state election.

His Majesty also urged potential candidates to abide by these rules and to be respectful to one another.

“Remember, the actions of politicians during the campaign period will be witnessed and evaluated by the people before they vote,” he said.

Besides Selangor, other states that have restricted politics at mosques and surau include Johor and Terengganu.

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