Sultan Nazrin: No place for politics in mosques

IPOH: Mosque committee members should be strict and wise and not to allow themselves to be manipulated or used by political parties, says Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

They have been entrusted to look after the mosque and not to allow the sanctity of the institution be defiled by excessive divisive political activities, the Sultan of Perak said.

“Those who were given the responsibilities to manage the mosque should understand the philosophy and main function of the institution, which is to unite the Muslim community.

“I call upon all committee members to assist me, at all times, to protect the mosques from any acts or talks that defiles the sanctity of the institution, ” he said.

“If anyone has political agenda and ambitions, be it among the committee members or speakers, they need to do the honourable thing by stepping down, ” he said during the state-level parish (kariah) committee conference here yesterday.

Sultan Nazrin said the Muslim community was divided because of the culture of trying to get political support or influence, which contradicts the teaching and values of Islam.

“For a long time, since Muslims in the country have come to know politics, mosques have always been a place to sow influence for political gain.

“Due to the lack of monitoring and control, there had been an incident where prayers were held by two imams in one mosque, ” he said.

“There are also mosques that are frequented by one political group but not by the opposing group. Such situation has in fact denied the mosque from fulfilling its purpose, ” he added.

Sultan Nazrin also said there had been some political groups that were using the mosque for their political gain.

“Lately, these groups have used some non-political and non-governmental organisations to penetrate the mosques and introduce its programmes within the premises. These programmes have a hidden agenda, ” he said.

“It would also be awkward if the speakers who are given the honour to speak in the house of Allah to abuse the trust by inserting elements in their speech, to ridicule and belittle the state Islamic Religious Department and police personnel.

“Talks that are held in mosques should also not favour or ridicule any political party so as not to cause unrest among committee members, ” he added.

Source: TheStar