It’s good that the guidelines were scrapped. Still, it is infuriating that Jakim considered it in the first place
The controversial guidelines proposed by the government through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) on Muslims’ participation in non-Muslim events and festivities have been rejected by the government following backlash from various quarters.
The news of its scrapping is a welcoming one. Yet, the fact that the guidelines even existed in the first place is infuriating - especially for non-Muslims.
Many have rightfully directed their anger towards Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar for revealing the proposed guidelines that were yet to receive Cabinet approval, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for pulling a “performative stunt” in rejecting the guidelines which were mooted by a federal agency and revealed by a minister under his own department.
However, TMS would like to direct its criticism to the very federal agency that caused the public uproar in the first place: Jakim
At the time this article was written, the government said that Jakim could provide advice to Muslims regarding the need to safeguard their akidah (creed) when attending non-Muslim events and festivities. However, this advice is not policy in nature.
The one important rule
First of all: TMS would like to stress that non-Muslims should not interfere with Islamic affairs. They have absolutely zero business in any matters related to the Muslims.
That being said, this similar rule should also apply to Muslims, especially their politicians and government agencies who should not be interfering with non-Muslim affairs, especially on how we hold our religious celebrations and events.
Unfortunately, this was exactly what Jakim tried to do with these proposed guidelines. According to the proposed guidelines, any non-Muslim religious celebration or funeral ceremonies that involve the presence of Muslims should not have:
i. Speeches or songs that promote or disseminate materials of other religions;
ii. Performances or speeches that insult or mock Muslim beliefs;
iii. Holding events during times when Muslims are engaged in worship, such as during the call to prayer, congregational prayers, sermons, or Friday prayers;
iv. Event locations must not be near mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries, or waqf lands;
v. The premises used must not display symbols or attributes of religions other than Islam.
To put salt to the wounds of non-Muslims, organisers must seek permission from the relevant authorities and consult with Islamic religious bodies if the invitation involves Muslim leaders or participants before proceeding with any celebratory event.
According to Jakim’s logic - the family members of a deceased non-Muslim who have invited Muslim relatives or friends of the latter should obtain the permission of the Islamic religious bodies to host them and should refrain from chanting any Hindu mantras during the funeral processions that would be “deemed insensitive" to the Muslims.
These guidelines are nothing but overreach by Jakim against the non-Muslim way of practising their faith which is unforgivable - as it is not only insensitive to the said communities, but also detrimental to multiracial and multireligious harmony long cherished in this country.
Not the first time for Jakim
It is worth noting that this is not the first time that Jakim has introduced policies and guidelines that have directly affected non-Muslims' livelihoods and businesses.
In 2020, the department drew flak when it issued a ruling that said shops which have their halal certification cannot have such non-Islamic festival greetings like Christmas wishes on their products on display. Non-Muslim-owned businesses with halal certification were affected by this ban here. This regressive ban was eventually lifted by the agency in 2023.
Last year, Jakim proposed mandatory halal certification requiring restaurants that do not sell pork and alcohol to obtain halal certification. This includes premises owned by non-Muslims as well that do not serve these two items.
The move was lambasted due to the costly and tedious process of obtaining halal certification, which small businesses could not cope with. The government later clarified that it is not mandatory for food and beverage outlets to get the certification.
Given the blunders created by Jakim in its policymaking that affect non-Muslims, it is right that this department be subjected to scrutiny by elected lawmakers and by this government. The department should be reminded that it should not interfere with non-Muslims' affairs as it is detrimental to national unity.
It would not be surprising to learn that many non-Muslims out there are enraged by what Jakim has done, and they would want Putrajaya to keep this department in check.
However, chances are that Putrajaya might disappoint them on this matter. After all, this Anwar-led government appears to be engaging in a contest with PAS on who is more Islamic than the other, and it does not want to risk creating tensions with Jakim - which would spark accusations of “unIslamic behaviour” by PAS.
Therefore, non-Muslims would have to brace for this disappointment. But, I think they have “gotten used” to it.
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