Jakim holds 'tabayyun' session with deputy minister over allegations on religious practices

SHAH ALAM – The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) held a meeting and tabayyun session with Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli following allegations linking her to the spread of shamanistic practices, sorcery, amulets and New Age Movement (NAM) teachings.

Jakim director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the session also involved the Federal Territories Mufti, Jakim’s Aqidah Expert Panel (PPA) and other relevant parties.

He said the meeting was held to ensure that the issue was examined based on the discipline of aqidah, religious authority and the ideological background of NAM.

“Following the meeting, several reprimands, advice and guidelines were provided, including those concerning the content and substance of programmes conducted, as well as approaches used that have implications for religion and aqidah.

“Emphasis was also placed on ensuring that any content or approach that could cause confusion regarding aqidah is corrected and refined.

“Religious content must also always be based on Islamic scholarly principles and the views of the relevant authorities,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Sirajuddin said the matter had been given serious attention and had undergone a comprehensive investigation to obtain views and assessments based on scholarly principles, with the involvement of the relevant authorities.

Earlier, Marhamah gave a 24-hour deadline to those who published or disseminated allegations linking her to the spread of shamanistic practices, sorcery, amulets and NAM teachings.

In a statement, Marhamah denied all the allegations and demanded that the parties concerned retract the publication, stop its dissemination, and issue a public apology and correction within the stipulated period.

Sirajuddin said Jakim had also taken note of questions and concerns raised by the public, including through a Facebook page under the name Masyitah Ashari.

“This is because the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), through Jakim, has consistently and firmly maintained its position of rejecting any teachings, beliefs, practices or approaches that contradict syarak and the principles of Islamic aqidah.

“At the same time, the public is urged not to draw conclusions based on materials circulating without verification or outside their context.

“Jakim will continue to carry out its responsibility to safeguard the sanctity of the Muslim community’s aqidah firmly, prudently and based on knowledge and religious authority,” he said.