The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has ordered the Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) to stand down in regards to the upcoming Japanese Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam.
This comes after the Minister of Religious Affairs Datuk Idris Ahmad, advised Muslims not to participate over the fact that there were reports that it had elements which clashed with the teachings of Islam.
In a statement shared by JAIS, their director, Datuk Hj Mohd Shahzihan Bin Ahmad shared that he was called upon by the Sultan to discuss the event, and ordered them not to take a stand to restrict the event from taking place and to not prevent people from attending.
“DYMM Tuanku does not approve of any decision or ruling on such matters being hastily concluded without in-depth study and scrutiny,” he said.
“His Highness’s position is that many cultures have connections with religion, but there isn’t necessarily religion in a culture. His Highness also stressed that practicing something is different from watching.”
“His Highness is also not worried as, if the faith of the Muslims is strong and true, it will set aside any acts and practices that are contrary to the faith of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah,” he added.
With that, the Sultan also informed both JAIS and Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) to attend the Bon Odori festival in July to ‘see for themselves’ the happenings of the event.
His Highness himself has attended the Bon Odori festival in the past and sees nothing wrong with our Muslim brothers and sisters attending it as well.
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