'Jais played appropriate role in Hindu wedding case'

The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) played its appropriate role in the case of a Hindu wedding in Petaling Jaya recently.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Jais had played its role in safeguarding the interests of Islam in the state.

In terms of procedure, Jais was more knowledgeable on the authority vested in it in accordance with the constitution, that Islam is under the authority of the respective state Islamic religious councils.

"We hope everyone is open about it and hands over the responsibility to the proper authority," he told reporters on Thursday.

Jamil Khir was asked to comment on the statement by Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim yesterday that the Jais raid on Sunday on the wedding of Zarina Abdullah Majid at a Hindu temple in Petaling Jaya did not abide by the standard operating procedure.

Jais claimed that the bride at the wedding was a Muslim, but the bride dismissed that and said her father had converted to Islam without the knowledge of the family.

Jamil Khir said the Islamic religious councils should play their role in safeguarding the religion in accordance with the authority vested in them.

"Any failure (in such a case) may make the council to be seen as having failed in discharging its duty," he said.