Malaysian PM Reiterates Ban on Political Talks in Mosques

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The prime minister of Malaysia said a ban on politicians giving lectures or political talks in the country’s mosques and surau (religious sites) must be respected by all parties.

Anwar Ibrahim said the ban is applicable to all parties, including himself.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said he, himself, would avoid accepting invitations to give talks at mosques.

“In respecting the order (by religious authorities), I avoid giving talks when I stop at a mosque for Friday prayer,” he said when met by the media after attending the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya on Wednesday.

The prime minister said this in response to a statement by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang on March 4, where he was reported to have said that there was nothing wrong with politicians delivering sermons or religious lectures at mosques and surau, instead it was compulsory for them to do so.

Hadi’s comments were reported to be over the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam) banning politicians from delivering religious lectures in mosques and suraus in the state.

Source: malaymail.com