Foreign Shiites can practice, but can't propagate
Fadzly EsaPublished: Dec 24, 2010 11:14 AM | Updated: Dec 24, 2010 12:29 PM
Although Shiite Islam has been declared a deviant teaching by way of a fatwa in Selangor, foreigners who stay or are visiting the state are still allowed to practice it, provided they do not propagate it to Malaysians.
Although Shiite Islam has been declared a deviant teaching by way of a fatwa in Selangor, foreigners who stay or are visiting the state are still allowed to practice it, provided they do not propagate it to Malaysians.
Senior assistant director of management and enforcement of the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) Mohamad Rais Rasid (right) said this exception was made, especially for foreign tourists, as Shiite teachings formed the main Islamic school of thought in their countries of origin.
“The department is not worried over the presence of foreigners from countries such as Iran. They are here as tourists and are not out to propagate Shiite teachings. What we want to curb is the spread of Shiite Islam and not the banning of tourists,” he said.
Last Wednesday, it was reported that 128 Shiite followers were detained at a shoplot in Batu Caves and among them were several foreigners.
According to a source, two of those arrested were produced before the Kuang Lower Syariah Court on Dec 16, and were charged under section 12 (c) of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 for acting in violation of the order of the authorities or mufti.
Mohamad Rais told Malaysiakini in an interview at his Shah Alam office that the possibility of the faith spreading was remote, as the numbers were still small and limited.
“Overall, only one or two individuals among the tourists are involved in propagating Shiite Islam,” he said.
No compromise
“If they want to practise (Shiite Islam) among themselves, it is all right but they should not be caught propagating it. We have not made any effort to locate them,” he said.
Mohamad Rais said such rules also applied to foreign students and traders.
Asked to comment on whether last week’s enforcement action would affect diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Shiite countries like Iran, Mohamad Rais did not think so.
He also said there would be no compromise on deviant teachings as it affected the religion and could lead to division in the community, as well as cause problems to the country.
“If they adopt an extreme practice like Jemaah Islamiah (JI), Al-Maunah or Ayah Pin (Sky kingdom), whether or not they have been declared deviant, we have seen that their followers would sometimes turn aggressive,” he said.
Mohamad Rais said the department has so far managed to control the spread of deviant teachings.
“Conditions in Selangor are still under control and the department is continuously monitoring and enforcing the rules,” he added.
Senior assistant director of management and enforcement of the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) Mohamad Rais Rasid (right) said this exception was made, especially for foreign tourists, as Shiite teachings formed the main Islamic school of thought in their countries of origin.“The department is not worried over the presence of foreigners from countries such as Iran. They are here as tourists and are not out to propagate Shiite teachings. What we want to curb is the spread of Shiite Islam and not the banning of tourists,” he said.
Last Wednesday, it was reported that 128 Shiite followers were detained at a shoplot in Batu Caves and among them were several foreigners.
According to a source, two of those arrested were produced before the Kuang Lower Syariah Court on Dec 16, and were charged under section 12 (c) of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 for acting in violation of the order of the authorities or mufti.
Mohamad Rais told Malaysiakini in an interview at his Shah Alam office that the possibility of the faith spreading was remote, as the numbers were still small and limited.
“Overall, only one or two individuals among the tourists are involved in propagating Shiite Islam,” he said.
No compromise
“If they want to practise (Shiite Islam) among themselves, it is all right but they should not be caught propagating it. We have not made any effort to locate them,” he said.
Mohamad Rais said such rules also applied to foreign students and traders. Asked to comment on whether last week’s enforcement action would affect diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Shiite countries like Iran, Mohamad Rais did not think so.
He also said there would be no compromise on deviant teachings as it affected the religion and could lead to division in the community, as well as cause problems to the country.
“If they adopt an extreme practice like Jemaah Islamiah (JI), Al-Maunah or Ayah Pin (Sky kingdom), whether or not they have been declared deviant, we have seen that their followers would sometimes turn aggressive,” he said.
Mohamad Rais said the department has so far managed to control the spread of deviant teachings.
“Conditions in Selangor are still under control and the department is continuously monitoring and enforcing the rules,” he added.
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