Muslims are allowed to visit other places of worship in Penang

KEPALA BATAS - The Penang government allows any parties to prepare programmes and invite Muslims to non-Muslim places of worship in the state for selected purposes.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said Penang has taken this approach through existing acts and enactments.

“If we prohibit those matters in our acts or enactments it would be about spreading non-Muslim teachings to Muslims.

“However, for the unity between the public if there are parties intending to bring or prepare an invitation for Muslims to visit the non-Muslim places of worship it is allowed for specific purposes like understanding the worship of non-Muslims but not for other reasons,” he told the press, here, on Friday.

Zakiyuddin who is also the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) chairman was attending the Amil Zakat Fitrah and Ehya Ramadhan donations in Kubang Menerong, here.

He said such after he was asked to comment whether Penang would follow Selangor’s footsteps in preventing organisations to conduct programmes in other places of worship for Muslims.

Zakiyuddin said the programme organisers must refer to MAINPP before implementing it and it must be in a controlled manner.

However, he said individuals or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not involved in social works are not encouraged to conduct such programmes.

“Organisers must refer to MAINPP and observe all guidelines set including the do’s and don’ts throughout the programme.

“I am sure there has been applications and guidelines given by the mufti’s office before and it could be referred to again,” he said.