Drop ‘religion’ from committee for ‘inter-religious’ harmony: Malay muftis

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysian muftis have proposed that the word “religion” in the recently set-up Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Understanding and Harmony be dropped “to avoid confusion”.

Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said the muftis felt the word “religion” could confuse the Muslim public, especially when the National Fatwa Council had, in 2005, issued a decree that an inter-faith council should not be established.

Baharom said the muftis did not object to the setting up of the committee aimed at providing a platform for dialogue and discussion to promote religious understanding and harmony among Malaysians.

“I have told the muftis that their proposal for the committee to be given a name change will be forwarded to the Cabinet. I will bring up the matter with Dr. Koh Tsu Koon (Minister-in-charge of National Unity and Integrity) as soon as possible,” The Star quoted Baharom, as saying.

Meanwhile, Islamic Development Department Director-General, Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, said the muftis were not against the establishment of a forum to promote religious understanding.

“However, they are concerned if parties try to meddle or interfere with religious issues involving Muslims,” Aziz said. (ANI)