KUALA LUMPUR — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Na’im Mokhtar is set to attend a Chinese New Year celebration at the Klang Hokkien Association headquarters on Sunday.
Na’im had raised the matter of proposed guidelines for Muslims attending events by non-Muslims earlier this month, which was later scrapped by the cabinet after outcry.
According to a Malay Mail report, the event he will attend this weekend is organised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and other Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
It is understood that the media invitation by Jakim includes a visit to see the elderly and to distribute food aid on Saturday.
On Sunday, the event will feature a forum in the morning, followed by a speech from the minister.
In a written parliamentary reply on Feb 5, Na’im announced that the government plans to introduce new guidelines for events involving Muslims at non-Islamic houses of worship, among others.
The guidelines include obtaining permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
However, on Feb 8, Na’im and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, in a joint statement, said the Cabinet had decided against implementing the guidelines after they “caused confusion” among Malaysians of different races and religions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also said the cabinet agreed such guidelines were not necessary. – February 14, 2025