Malaysia recognises Iran because of sovereignty, not Syiah faith

Malaysia recognises Iran because of its sovereignty but this does not mean that we have to follow the Syiah faith, a speaker told participants at an anti-Syiah conference, here, Tuesday.

Assistant Secretary of Security and Public Order Division (Home Ministry), Zamihan Mat Zin said the good ties between both countries is based on diplomatic ties covering trade, economic and strategic bilateral interest.

"The Syiah faith is contrary to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and this includes marriage. Syiah has been decreed deviant by several states in Malaysia.

"As such, practising something that has been decreed deviant is haram and sinful," he told reporters.

Earlier, he presented a paper entitled "Perkahwinan antara Syiah dan Sunni: Suatu Perbandingan Mazhab" at a conference organised by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

Meanwhile, Selangor Fatwa Council member Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shafii said a marriage between Syiah and Sunni follower cannot be registered with JAIS as Syiah faith had been decreed deviant.

"A Syiah follower cannot marry a Sunni follower as Selangor had banned Syiah. Just like people of other faiths, those who want to marry Muslims must convert to Islam and adhere to the Sunnah Wal Jamaah faith.

"Since marriage between a Syiah and Sunni is illegal, the child born is illegitimate but innocent. The case has to be referred to JAIS for a solution."

Mohd Mokhtar said those who know their marriages are invalid due to different faith have to divorce and referred to the State Islamic Department.

All parties should help curb the spread of Syiah faith as it is bad for future generations and would led to a change in lifestyle and faith of Muslims.