GEORGETOWN - Authorities at the central and state levels are advised to ensure that "dakwah” (preaching) activities are free from negative elements by tightening the conditions for the accreditation of religious teaching.
Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor also urged the authorities to constantly monitor the activities carried out by those who did have credentials.
He said individuals found delivering lectures or teachings that were confusing or inciting the society which would lead to disunity should be stopped.
He said the authorities needed to monitor if there were people who delivered lectures or teachings that incite hatred and hostility.
These types of people, he said must be prohibited from lecturing or teaching in public through the enforcement of the existing laws.
"The time has come for the government to be firm in this aspect for clean dakwah activities in Islam to be carried out, away from the "garbage” contaminating it.
"This also aims to preserve the image of Islam," he said when contacted on Monday.
Wan Salim was commenting on independent preacher Siti Afifah Shahbudin and her husband, who were accused of making misleading statements involving the syariah law, inviting various reactions from netizens.
In regards to this, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has advised the couple to use appropriate and wise approaches in delivering dakwah.
Meanwhile, Wan Salim added that Jakim and the state religious authorities should reprimand any individuals found to be making statements that could mislead the public about Islamic teachings.
"It is sad that the dakwah field in this country is polluted by these kind of people.
"Some of them are not qualified from the point of view of knowledge and preaching style. As a result, not only did the dakwah fail to bring the target group closer to the teachings of Islam, but it also displayed a negative perspective on the teachings.
"Like in other fields, only qualified people can talk about it. For example, only economists have the right to talk and give opinions about economic affairs. The same goes for medical experts. But, how can we allow those who are not qualified to talk about it (Islamic teachings) in the dakwah?" he said.
He also urged authorities to screen each individuals involved in the field of dakwah carefully.
"In addition to the need for knowledge about dakwah style, a preacher is also required to be equipped with good morals. Those who have poor manners and rude when they speak are prohibited from giving dakwah.
"Such behaviour should not exist in a preacher because it is the behaviour of an immoral person," he said.