OK for Muslims to attend these events: Council
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025
By: Bernama Text Size: Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot Kuala Lumpur: It is permissible for Muslims to attend invitations or events for non-Islamic celebrations without any religious rituals, says the Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot. He stated that this includes open house events or dinner gatherings in conjunction with non-Islamic celebrations and the like, provided that the food served is halal and there is no entertainment or activities prohibited by Islamic law.
Advertisement 'However, scholars from the four schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hambali, have unanimously agreed that it is haram and completely forbidden for Muslims to attend ritual ceremonies of non-Islamic religious celebrations. 'This prohibition includes non-Islamic religious rituals held in places of worship as well as in other venues where such rituals are commonly performed,' he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). According to him, respecting followers of other religions does not mean supporting or participating in their worship, but participation in any form of other religious celebrations or rituals, whether directly or indirectly, is contrary to Islamic teachings and can undermine faith. 'The participation of Muslims in non-Islamic religious practices brings negative consequences such as undermining the belief in monotheism, violating legal boundaries and references to valid fatwas, creating liberal thoughts without guidance from Islamic law, as well as undermining Islamic identity in society, besides causing confusion among the younger generation,' he said.
Advertisement Nooh stated that the Muslim community in Malaysia can refer to the notification regarding 'Muslims Also Celebrate the Religious Holidays of Non-Muslims' published by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in 2005, as well as the legal guidelines and state fatwas on this matter. At the same time, he emphasised that maintaining faith is the responsibility of every Muslim and that the Islamic community should avoid any form of participation in the religious rituals of other religions, even for cultural or symbolic reasons. 'Educational institutions, mosques, and the media need to strengthen the proper education of faith based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. All parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and authoritative bodies, must act wisely to guide the community so that they do not get caught up in the confusion of values between religion and culture. 'The general public is also advised to always preserve their faith and religious sensitivity by not participating in any ceremonies, parades, or religious rituals of non-Islamic faiths. Such participation is feared to cause confusion, spark polemics and jeopardise the harmony of the multi-religious society in this country,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Car bombing kills 13 Pakistani soldiers near Afghan border, say sources
ISLAMABAD: An explosive-laden car rammed into a Pakistani military convoy today in a town near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 soldiers, sources said. Four Pakistani intelligence officials and a senior local administrator said the convoy was attacked in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district. Around 10 other soldiers were wounded, some critically, and they were being airlifted to a military hospital, the sources said. "It was huge, a big bang," said the local administrator, adding that residents of the town could see a large amount of smoke billowing from the scene from a great distance. One resident said that the explosion rattled the windowpanes of nearby houses, and caused some roofs to collapse. No one has so far claimed responsibility. The Pakistani military did not respond to a Reuters request for a comment. The lawless district which sits next to Afghanistan has long served as a safe haven for different Islamist groups, who operate on both sides of the border. Islamabad says the fighters run training camps in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies. Pakistani Taliban also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella group of several Islamist groups, has long been waging a war against Pakistan in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its own Islamic system of governance. The Pakistani military, which has launched several offensives against the militants, has mostly been their prime target.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Car bombing kills 13 Pakistani soldiers near Afghan border, say sources
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) -An explosive-laden car rammed into a Pakistani military convoy on Saturday in a town near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 soldiers, sources said. Four Pakistani intelligence officials and a senior local administrator told Reuters that the convoy was attacked in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district. Around 10 other soldiers were wounded, some critically, and they were being airlifted to a military hospital, the sources said. "It was huge, a big bang," said the local administrator, adding that residents of the town could see a large amount of smoke billowing from the scene from a great distance. One resident said that the explosion rattled the windowpanes of nearby houses, and caused some roofs to collapse. No one has so far claimed responsibility. The Pakistani military did not respond to a Reuters request for a comment. The lawless district which sits next to Afghanistan has long served as a safe haven for different Islamist militant groups, who operate on both sides of the border. Islamabad says the militants run training camps in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies, saying the militancy is Pakistan's domestic issue. Pakistani Taliban also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of several Islamist militant groups, has long been waging a war against Pakistan in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its own Islamic system of governance. The Pakistani military, which has launched several offensives against the militants, has mostly been their prime target. (Reporting by Saud Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan and Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar; Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Non-Bumiputeras urged to join MAF as participation remains low
KUALA LUMPUR: Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar has encouraged non-Bumiputera communities to consider joining the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), as their current involvement remains minimal. He emphasised that the MAF offers a unique professional career path distinct from other sectors. Speaking at the commissioning parade and appointment letter presentation for MAF officer cadets at Kem Perdana, Sungai Besi, Mohd Nizam stated, 'I urge all communities to consider joining the MAF. This is where the real challenge begins, and where you will experience the true meaning of professionalism.' The event was attended by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin, and the chiefs of the three armed forces branches. A total of 509 officer cadets were commissioned as MAF officers during the ceremony, with 295 from the Malaysian Army, 114 from the Royal Malaysian Navy, and 100 from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Mohd Nizam highlighted that the event marked the official recognition of their successful military training and the start of their service as junior officers. 'It also underscores the MAF's commitment to nurturing professional, disciplined and high-integrity military leadership dedicated to safeguarding national sovereignty,' he added.
