SHAH ALAM - Umno's ulama council is of the view that Muslims should not be involved in the production of films that are contrary to Islamic religious beliefs for any reason whatsoever.
The council was referring to a film entitled 'Mentega Terbang’ which is making its rounds on social media as being contradictory to Islamic teachings.
Umno Ulama Council Executive Secretary Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, said the council takes the normalisation of the making and publishing of films that touch on religious sensitivities, especially on Islamic syariah teachings seriously.
"In order to guarantee the harmony between religions in this country, it is not appropriate for such films to be allowed to spread and be published through independent channels, even in the name of freedom of creation or voicing opinions.
"Muslims should not be involved in the production of such films either as producers, screenwriters, actors, or anything related for any reason whatsoever," he said in a statement on Saturday.
In this regard, Mohd Khairuddin said, his party supports the government's action through the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to summon the parties responsible for the making of the controversial film ‘Mentega Terbang' to seek an explanation and further action.
He said, other powerful agencies also need to act quickly according to the laws in this country.
"The Umno Ulama Council welcomes the government's immediate action by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, through Jakim, who called the parties involved to seek clarification and for further action to be taken.
"Films that touch the religious sensibilities of Malaysians cannot be left without any measures taken against them," he said.
The media reported that Jakim had been instructed to act immediately by examining the entire content of the film Mentega Terbang, which has garnered the attention of Muslims nationwide.
Mohd Na'im said that, as a result of Jakim's research, he found that this film was in clear contradiction with the beliefs and way of life of Muslims in Malaysia who follow the Syafie sect teachings.