KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 – Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is unhappy with Muslim leaders who back demands made by liberal groups.
Speaking at a seminar on “Liberalism and Pluralism Thinking” and the launch of the book on state government’s gazetted fatwa in Shah Alam yesterday, the Sultan of Selangor said it was obvious that the demands contravened the true teachings of Islam, Bernama reported.
“This liberalism ideology has succeeded in influencing a handful of Muslims which resulted in the emergence of a group demanding gender equality and same-sex marriage, rejecting ulama, promoting women to lead prayers and to become ‘wali’ in marriage, okaying to Muslim marrying partners from other religions and demanding freedom to change one’s religion or beliefs.
“I am worried that if this liberal thinking is not seriously curbed, it may allow the enemies of Islam to destroy Islam in this country and it is feared that Allah will inflict disasters and calamities on us all,” he was quoted as saying by the national news agency.
Selangor, centre for spread of deviant ideology?
The Ruler also called for the relevant state authorities to ensure that Selangor does not become the centre for the spread of such deviant ideologies, urging the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to intensify enforcement against those trying to spread any form of ideologies that contravened the teachings of Islam.
“The organising of awareness programmes on the threats to Muslim faith and programmes on strengthening aqidah (faith) should also be intensified right from schools to all mosques and surau in Selangor,” Sultan Sharafuddin said, according to Bernama.
The Selangor Ruler also criticised those who lacked knowledge and expertise yet openly questioned the fatwa (edict) issued and gazetted by the state’s religious authority, saying such actions could result in Muslims being confused, quarrelling among themselves and becoming divided.
Also present at the seminar were Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Ab Wahid and Selangor Islamic Religious Council chairman Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi.
Certain group questioning sanctity of Islam, says Ruler
Sultan Sharafuddin also took aim against those questioning the sanctity of Islam, the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras, the national language, and the function and position of the Malay Rulers enshrined in the Federal Constitution need to be immediately addressed and curbed.
He said this group of people should not be allowed to continue inciting the people by bringing up and questioning the social contract agreed to by the majority races in Malaysia even before the country gained independence.
“Although I have touched on the issues repeatedly, I will continue to speak out and stress that there will be no compromise on the attempts of a certain group to erode the powers and special rights that have been enshrined in this Federal Constitution.
“The role of Malay rulers in preserving the sanctity of Islam as the religion of the Federation and preserving the special position of the Malays and the Bumiputera without marginalising the rights of other races will continue to stand in the country and be defended,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Selangor Ruler showed the way on child marriage
Sultan Sharafuddin’s comments come just three months after he took a strong stand against child marriage.
He had decreed that child marriages will no longer take place in the state, saying that the minimum age under Syariah law be set at 18.
He had also ordered the state Islamic authorities to propose the necessary amendments and the law was duly changed at the state legislative assembly.
This move was lauded by many quarters, especially after the new Pakatan Harapan government had claimed to be powerless in preventing from child marriages from happening because Islamic law enactments in various states enabled it to take place.
– NMT
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