Follow ban on no politics in Selangor mosque, surau strictly, Jais reminds

SHAH ALAM - The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) has declared that mosques and suraus should not be used as political platforms or propaganda centres for political parties.

This will be monitored by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) who reminded mosque and surau administrations to strictly enforce the bans and regulations leading up to the state elections.

Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said despite his observations, there are still mosque and surau administrators who are not taking the ban seriously.

He said this includes distribution of publications with political content and permitting politicians to use them for political purposes.

"It is a clear violation towards the decision made by Mais to maintain mosques and suraus as a safe zone from any party-political elements or influence,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that distributing publications or printed materials with political elements in mosques and suraus, especially near elections, is irresponsible and goes against the orders and rulings of the Selangor Sultan Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Mais.

He reminded that since 2018, the Selangor Sultan has ordered that mosques and suraus should not be politicised and should remain peaceful places of worship.

Shahzihan said the ruling of Mais on this matter is still enforced and any acts that insult, disobey, violate, or dispute the orders of the Selangor Sultan or Mais may be subjected to action under Section 12 (a) or (b) of the Sharia Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995.

He further said mosque officials may have their appointments revoked by Mais based on Rule 7 (f) of the Mosque and Surau Regulations (Selangor State) 2017.