Religious minister: Observe proper etiquette, respect burial grounds
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, has urged Muslims in the country to observe proper etiquette towards the deceased, respect burial grounds, and refrain from using them as places to seek blessings or gain popularity.
In a Facebook post tonight, Mohd Na'im said Muslims are encouraged to visit the graves to remind them about the reality of death, deepen spiritual reflection and pray for the deceased soul, not for purposes that could lead to acts of shirk (associating partners with God) or superstition.
"I have followed news reports about certain individuals allegedly taking soil from the grave of Nurly Shahirah Azman in the belief that it brings blessings. Such action is deplorable and goes against the principles of Islamic faith,' he said.
He reminded Muslims to be cautious in their practices and not to follow actions that have no basis in Islamic law, especially those that could lead to beliefs or behaviours that contradict tenets of the Islamic faith.
Mohd Na'im stressed that the act of taking soil from a grave and applying it to one's face with the belief that it brings blessings or possesses certain powers violates the boundaries of Islamic law.
"I support the firm yet respectful approach taken by Nurly Shahirah's family in handling this issue, as well as the efforts of the religious authorities in monitoring burial grounds. This is in line with the government's ongoing efforts to combat superstitious practices and strengthen the Islamic faith among Muslims in the country,' he said.
He called on Muslims to pray for Nurly Shahirah's soul to be blessed with mercy and that her family be granted strength and patience in facing this trial.
According to media reports, Nurly Shahirah's family was forced to put up a barrier around her grave at the Kampung Gong Pasir Muslim Cemetery in Kerandang, Terengganu, following actions by certain individuals who engaged in acts of shirk and superstition at the site.
Nurly Shahirah, 23, a hafizah (Quran memoriser), was one of the 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who perished in a tragic bus accident in Gerik early this month. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
11 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Suspended ex-Jempol MP Mohd Salim makes second bid to rejoin Umno, insists he's ‘proven my loyalty'
SEREMBAN, June 30 — Former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif has made a second bid to return to Umno after the party leaders signalled a softer stance. Mohd Salim, who was suspended for six years in January 2023 for breaching party discipline, said his first appeal was in 2024 and his second in April. 'I sincerely hope the party leadership will consider my appeals. 'Although I have been suspended, I have remained loyal to Umno and have been actively supporting members, especially in Jempol,' he was quoted as saying by The Star in an article today. He rubbished speculation that he would quit the party for another. 'Umno has been my party from day one. Although there had been lots of talk previously that I would quit the party and join another, I have proven my loyalty to Umno,' he was quoted as saying. In recent days, Umno's top two leaders indicated that they are open to reinstating several suspended veterans but required the affected members to make a formal application. Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said only two suspended members had formally applied for reinstatement: Mohd Salim and former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. Tajuddin's suspension was lifted on November 24 last year, with his membership reinstated immediately. Zahid and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan advised former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to write in after Sembrong Umno called for the latter's six-year suspension to be lifted.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Umno ‘ready to make waves' at state polls, says Salleh
Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak speaking to members of the party's election machinery at a gathering in Kemabong, Tenom, today. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno is fully prepared for the coming state assembly elections, with its extensive grassroots network ready to be mobilised, says the party's state treasurer, Salleh Said Keruak. Salleh, who is state assemblyman for Usukan said the party now boasts 5,912 branches and 612,867 registered members across the state. 'If we mobilise this strength with discipline and strategy, it will create a significant wave across the state,' he said. 'We do not wait for election season to start moving – our machinery is always active and alive,' he said at a gathering of Sabah Umno election workers in Tenom. Salleh said Sabah Umno's real strength lies in its active grassroots branches which consistently engage with local communities, and in its organisational discipline and structured field operations. 'We don't need to make noise, but we must be ready. And Sabah Umno is already on the right track,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Move fast on political financing law, urges Sabah PKR Youth
Hilmie Milus of Sabah PKR Youth said a law on political financing would compel all parties and candidates to publicly disclose their financial sources in a transparent and accountable manner. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah PKR Youth has called for a comprehensive law on political financing to be quickly put in place at federal and state levels. Its information chief, Hilmie Milus, said Sabah has long struggled with money politics and patronage, eroding good governance and public trust in political parties. 'In reality, political power is often held by those with large financial resources and cronies, turning the political arena into an exclusive space for wealthy elites, not credible individuals with proven leadership. 'This culture has opened the floodgates to corruption, vote buying and project handouts as political rewards,' he said in a statement. Hilmie also said the absence of clear and enforceable rules on political financing created a playing field that disadvantages youths, women, civil society activists and ordinary citizens who have leadership potential but lack financial means. He said the implementation of a political financing law would compel all parties and candidates to publicly disclose their funding sources in a transparent and accountable manner. 'In Sabah, this is urgently needed because far too often, development funds and state allocations are perceived to be misused to finance specific political agendas. 'Transparency in compliance with this act will strengthen the integrity of the democratic system and increase public trust in the electoral process.' Hilmie, a member of the central PKR Youth's leadership, reminded the unity government that introducing a political financing law was part of Pakatan Harapan's pledge for the 2018 general election. Several Gabungan Rakyat Sabah leaders had urged Putrajaya to expedite the tabling of the long-awaited political financing bill following the alleged mining scandal in the state. They said the alleged scandal in Sabah exemplified the need for such a legislation to close any loopholes that businesses could exploit in hopes of seeking favours from politicians. However, in March, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said it would be hard for the political financing bill to be passed before the next general election. She had said that the government still required feedback, especially from members of civil society.
