Perak's JAIPk halts teaching by religious speakers for revisions, reorganisation

IPOH - The Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) has suspended teaching and lecturing sessions by all religious speakers, including those from abroad, starting yesterday.

JAIPk director Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim said the suspension involves all mosques, Friday prayer suraus, and registered suraus under the department.

He mentioned that the Perak's Islamic Religious Education Supervisory Committee is revising the guidelines for applying religious speakers and instructors.

This is an effort to reorganise the concept of preaching (dakwah) to be in line with the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Aliran Asyairah and Maturidiah.

"Several decisions have been made until these guidelines are definitively enforced, which includes deferring invitations to any foreign speakers, whether certified or uncertified, as well as those from outside Perak.

"The religious committee is also requested to defer invitations to uncertified speakers from within Perak to teach in mosques and suraus," he said in a statement uploaded on Facebook today.

He further noted that these decisions are, however, excluded from individuals as specified in Regulation 23 (1) (a) to (e), (2), and (3) of the 2013 Regulations on Religious Teaching and Lectures.

"All parties are requested to adhere to these established guidelines," he added.

Regulation 23 (1) includes provisions that state these regulations do not apply to members of the Council; muftis of any state in Malaysia; religious officers; government-appointed religious teachers; and any person whom the Council deems qualified and experienced.