SUNGAI PETANI: The issue of violation of human rights should not be raised by any quarters following the federal government’s decision to ban Syiah teachings in the country.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the term ‘human rights’ had its limitation and in the context of the ban on Syiah teachings, the focus was not on human rights.
“Human rights have limits. Not everything can be referred as human rights.
“In this country, we have laws, including syariah laws, which put a limit to what we can and cannot do, including in matters concerning our religion,” he told reporters after attending the Ihya’ Ramadan programme and the presentation of
donation in conjunction with the 29th anniversary of the Malaysia Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) here today.
Jamil Khir was commenting on the move taken by certain non governmental organisation in questioning the ban on Syiah teaching in the country, which they said to have violated human rights.
The minister said under the Federal Constitution Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and Islamic religious affairs are placed under the jurisdiction of the state government.
“Logically and simply put, if a religion is being ridiculed, insulted or spread to devotees of other religions, naturally it will only cause disputes, especially in the context of multi-religious country like Malaysia.
“We have rules, we practise the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah under the Shafie School, so we do not allow proselytising of Muslims. So, there is no issue of human rights violation here,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the anti-Syiah fatwa (edict), which would be gazetted in Kedah, was aimed at curbing the spread of Syiah belief among Muslims in the state.
“I would like to make it clear that we will not question devotees of Syiah belief like the Iranians and of course we will do nothing to change their belief.
“What worries us is the people who try to spread the Syiah belief and influence the Muslims in Malaysia who practise the teaching of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah,” he told reporters after visiting Maahad Tahfiz Al-Barakah (Mantab), Kampung Masjid, Tikam Batu here today.
Last Thursday, the Kedah government announced that it would ban the Syiah teachings in Kedah by gazetting the National Fatwa Council ruling made in 1996.
The decision, however, received negative response from Islamic movement known as As-Sajjad which described the move as a violation to human rights.
– BERNAMA
