PM merely obliged new convert's request, minister says

The prime minister converting a man at a mosque recently was to fulfil a request of a citizen of Malaysia, which is made up of various races and religions, said Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said Anwar Ibrahim’s actions at the Ar-Rahimiah Mosque in Klang, Selangor, were not against the Constitution or any law in the country.

“He only obliged to the request of the individual who wanted him to perform the ceremony and his presence there was unplanned.

“The fact that the prime minister himself converted the man to Islam was something interesting and a historic day for the new convert,” Mohd Na’im (above) said.

He was speaking to Bernama yesterday after visiting the next-of-kin of e-hailing driver Sharipuddin Shaari, 53, one of the victims of the plane crash in Elmina, Shah Alam on Aug 17.

He was commenting on criticism against Anwar by some quarters for leading the conversion ceremony, perceived as not the work of the prime minister.

Mohd Na’im said the conversion to Islam was also done at the request of the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim) Klang chapter chairperson Hushim Salleh, who happened to be praying at the mosque conducting the conversion ceremony.

A video lasting one minute and 26 seconds went viral on social media on Friday showing Anwar about to leave the mosque after Friday prayers but was invited to complete the ceremony causing him to stay back.

Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im said his office will look at the type of assistance to be channelled to Sharipuddin’s next-of-kin, namely his widow Suriani Muda, 43, and two children Nur Izzara Arissya, nine, and Muhammad Sharul Izuan, 16.

“Among other things, we will get the Selangor Islamic Religious Council to look into the family’s needs because his widow is not working, and to consider her as a tithe recipient,” he said.

He said this after presenting RM3,000 donated by Yayasan Taqwa Wilayah Persekutuan, as well as his personal contribution.

- Bernama

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