Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said he respected all perspectives on the Federal Territories Mufti Bill, which is expected to be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat session.

This statement by the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) followed a challenge issued by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who called for a debate on the bill.

“I respect everyone’s opinions. People are entitled to their views, and I respect that,” Mohd Na’im was quoted as saying today by MalaysiaGazette.

Previously, Asri said most Muslims do not understand the teachings of the Ashairah and Maturidiyyah schools of theology, which the bill cites.

The mufti also questioned Na’im’s understanding of these theological schools and offered to prove it.

“I can prove it, God willing, if given the chance in an open forum before the public. I would engage him on issues related to the Ashairah, Maturidiyyah, al-Junaid, and al-Ghazali.

“If he (Na’im) truly understands these subjects, let him first demonstrate his knowledge before imposing it on the people. If he lacks understanding, does he intend to mislead the public and, in turn, mislead himself?” Asri asked.

In response, Na’im’s political secretary, Muhammad Razak Idris, expressed a willingness to accept Asri’s invitation to discuss the matter.

He noted that the minister’s office, along with agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, remained open to discussions with various stakeholders to gather feedback and improve the administration of Islamic affairs.

Asri has been a vocal critic of the FT Mufti Bill, particularly its narrowing of the definition of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (adherent of the Sunni creed).

Section 3(4) of the bill defines Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah as one who adheres to the al-Ashairah and al-Maturidiyah stream on matters of akidah (faith), the Syafie school of Islamic jurisprudence (as well as other Sunni schools in certain circumstances) in matters of syariah, and principles brought by Imam Junaid al-Baghdadi and Imam al-Ghazali on matters of Sufism.

This requirement would disqualify anyone following other schools, such as Salafism, from holding the post of Federal Territories mufti.

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