Selangor Sultan tells Jais to proceed with Bon Odori festival

SHAH ALAM - Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has asked the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) to allow the Bon Odori festival to be held next month.

In a statement, the Sultan also told Jais said not to stop any individuals from attending the festival.

He further told Jais and the Shah Alam City council officers to attend the festival themselves to "see for themselves" the programme.

Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad added that the Sultan had attended the festival several years ago and did not find it was detrimental to the practice of the Islamic beliefs.

He said this after being summoned by Selangor Sultan to discuss the Bon Odori festival set to be held at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex (Panasonic) on July 16.

He said the Sultan does approve of any decision or ruling without in-depth study and scrutiny. “He was of the view that many cultures have to do with religion, but religion is not necessarily in the culture."

“He also stressed that practising something is different from just seeing," Shahzihan added.

This comes after Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad advised Muslims not to take part in the celebration, claiming that the festival was influenced by parts of other religions, according to research by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

The annual Bon Odori celebration, organised by Japanese population in Malaysia and returns after a two-year hiatus.