Islam does not prohibit any activity, including aerobics, to be carried out in the compound of a mosque as long as such activities do not contravene Syariah principles, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said.

He said it should not be a problem for either Muslims or non-Muslims to conduct any activity outside or inside the mosque.

NONE"In Islam, it is not wrong for certain quarters to hold activities in mosques because even during the time of Prophet Muhammad, non-believers were also allowed to enter mosques because they also acted as the centre for various activities, including politics," he told reporters after delivering a Friday sermon in Kota Bharu today.

The Kelantan menteri besar was commenting on the action of Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching who was reported to have entered the compound of Taman Cheras Jaya mosque in Balakong, Selangor in tight attire and participated in some aerobics exercise with the congregation of the mosque, which was deemed as disrespecting the house of worship.

Nik Abdul Aziz said the question whether the member of parliament was wearing immodest dress was the second thing that needed to be addressed.

"Most importantly, we have to tell them the things that are religiously forbidden while in the mosque... we have to explain the Islamic rules and regulations before he or she be allowed to enter the mosque," he said.

Prior to this, Nie Ching had also caused a controversy when she delivered a talk in a surau in Kajang Sentral, Kajang in August.

- Bernama