Focus

Attend Bon Odori to understand between religion and culture, S'gor Sultan tells minister

MINDERJEET KAUR
By MINDERJEET KAUR
09 Jun 2022 05:00pm
In a Facebook post today, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he did not want the minister to use the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to make “confusing and inaccurate statements which could negatively affect the image and reputation of the department”.
In a Facebook post today, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he did not want the minister to use the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to make “confusing and inaccurate statements which could negatively affect the image and reputation of the department”.

SHAH ALAM - Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has asked religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad to attend the Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam to “understand the difference between religion and culture”.

In a Facebook post today, Sultan Sharafuddin said he did not want the minister to use the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to make “confusing and inaccurate statements which could negatively affect the image and reputation of the department”.

The Sultan further hoped that the people of Selangor of all backgrounds would continue to live in harmony.

This comes after Idris told Muslims not to take part in the Japanese community’s annual Bon Odori festival, stating that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.

The celebration is organised by the Japanese community in Malaysia, and it is being held after a two-year hiatus. It will be held in Shah Alam on July 16 and in Penang on July 30.

The Sultan further said the cultural festival has been held in the country for decades and is held to encouraged unity between Malaysians and the Japanese community here.

He said the festival became popular after more Japanese companies invested in the country, including in Selangor.

“His Highness had attended the festival accompanied by the Japanese ambassador to Malaysia in 2016, and in his observation, the Bon Odori festival does not involve religious or ritualistic (syirik) performances that could distort the beliefs of those present,” the statement read.

He reiterated that the Selangor Islamic department and the Shah Alam City Council had been ordered to attend the festival "to get a clear picture" and ensure that it did not go against Islam.

He further said cultural forms practised worldwide were linked to religion but over the years it shed religious elements.

He does not want any quarters, especially politicians, to touch on religious sensitivities for personal and political gain.

Related Articles:

Bon Odori
Selangor Sultan
Idris Ahmad
More Like This
Abdul Rahman
Abdul Rahman
National SSPA: Avoid excessive, unnecessary loans following salary increase - Cuepacs
"If you really want to do it, it should only be for purposes that will make a profit in the future such as housing loans or children's education."
A recent tragedy claimed seven lives at Kilometer 204 of the North-South Highway heading north, near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Treatment area, Melaka. Bernama FILE PIX
A recent tragedy claimed seven lives at Kilometer 204 of the North-South Highway heading north, near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Treatment area, Melaka. Bernama FILE PIX
National Strict enforcement, heavy fines against heavy vehicles failing to comply with safety standards - Niosh
The use of advanced monitoring technology such as Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) and telematics should also be mandatory for all heavy vehicles so that mechanical problems are detected directly.
The Taiping High Court has awarded RM1.8 million in damages to a former security guard who sustained a brain injury due to medical negligence during treatment following a motorcycle accident in 2016.
The Taiping High Court has awarded RM1.8 million in damages to a former security guard who sustained a brain injury due to medical negligence during treatment following a motorcycle accident in 2016.
National Court awards RM1.8 million to ex-security guard over medical negligence
Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin found that the plaintiff P. Thinnagaran, 28, had proved his claims on a balance of probabilities and allowed most of his claims against the defendants.
An Indonesian woman has applied for leave from the Federal Court to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision which dismissed her appeal seeking a court declaration that her second son is a Malaysian citizen.
An Indonesian woman has applied for leave from the Federal Court to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision which dismissed her appeal seeking a court declaration that her second son is a Malaysian citizen.
National Son's citizenship: Indonesian woman seeking leave to appeal at Federal Court
The woman, in her 40s, filed the notice of motion, obtained by the media today, in the Federal Court last Dec 23, naming the Director General of the NRD and the Malaysian Government as respondents.