Mukhriz: Action awaits mosques allowing political sermons

The Kedah Islamic Religious Council (MAIK) has been instructed to take action against several mosques in Sungai Limau found to have allowed outside preachers to deliver politically-laced Friday sermons on Friday.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the directive was issued with the aim to protect the harmony of Muslims in the state.

"Such acts are prohibited. So, the management of the mosque must prepare their answers, they will be given a show-cause letter on why action cannot be taken against them," he told reporters after presenting the cost of living allowance of RM200 each to 396 fishermen in Sungai Limau constituency here on Saturday.

Mukhriz also described the incident as a serious abuse of mosques because those involved had clearly showed a total disregard to the instruction made by the chairman of the Regency Council of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah.

Tunku Annuar, when opening the State Assembly sitting last August, among others, said that mosques should not be used for activities other than for worshipping Allah and boosting harmony among the people.

Mukhriz also voiced his disappointment because the written instruction had also been issued by MAIK to all mosques two weeks ago, but was clearly not adhered to.

"I have received reports that two to three mosques had, without the approval of MAIK, invited preachers from outside the state for Friday prayers and they had delivered sermons which were political in nature.

"Not only did the sermons were critical of the government, but they also prayed for the victory of the opposition," he said.

Mukhriz, however, did not disclose the names of the mosques involved, saying he would make the announcement later. He said he had no intention of politicizing the matter, but would want to stress that mosques must be a neutral religious institutions.

"During any election campaign, the constituency will definitely be flocked by outside supporters. We have that too. We even had Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here on several occasions, but when he went to the mosque, it was only to perform a prayer, not to deliver a speech, let alone to campaign," he added.