The Malaysian Insight

MUSLIMS are not recommended to take part in joint-prayer sessions with non-Muslims, said the Federal Islamic Development Department (Jakim), but the ruling does not apply to non-Muslims.

In a statement, Jakim said the ruling was based on conclusions reached at two past meetings involving the Islamic religious authorities and the fatwa councils.

These two meetings were a 2006 national-level meeting between all state fatwa councils (MKI 74) and the 113rd Federal Territories Islamic regulations committee meeting.

“Jakim has given its opinion by referring to the MKI 74 decision and the 113rd Federal Territories meeting which do not recommend (tidak mengharuskan) that Muslims take part in joint prayer sessions with those of other faiths.

“However the decisions do not prevent non-Muslims from holding joint prayer sessions,” Jakim said responding to a story by The Malaysian Inisght today on the restriction.

Jakim’s statement today confirms a The Malaysian Insight report on joint prayers or doa sessions that are held at interfaith events involving Muslims and non-Muslims.

An earlier circular seen by The Malaysian Insight covers two types of prayer sessions:

• Where Muslims recite their doa (prayer of supplication) simultaneously with members of other faiths who recite their own prayers before a function begins.
• When Muslim and non-Muslim groups each pray before the start of a function.

The letter dated September 3 was issued by the committee to promote understanding and harmony between religions (JKMPKA), which is under national unity and integration department (Perpaduan) of the prime minister’s office.

The JKMPKA letter states that on the advice of Jakim, both types of prayers should not be held in the same programme.

Such prayers should instead be “replaced with an activity where a message of unity is shared”, it said.

Jakim had justified its decision on the meetings by religious authorities and on the opinion of the Negri Sembilan mufti Mohd Yusof Ahmad.

Jakim’s statement today made reference to the JKMPKA circular by stating that it has been contacted by Perpaduan on the issue of joint-prayers in public functions. – September 5, 2019.