Muslims may wish non-Muslims on religious holidays, says Penang mufti

Muslims may wish non-Muslims on religious holidays, says Penang mufti

PETALING JAYA: Muslims are permitted to wish non-Muslims taking part in festivals such as Christmas, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Ponggal, and Wesak, said the Penang mufti today.

Sukki Othman said the Penang state fatwa committee’s meetings on Aug 21 and 22, 2019, decided that Muslims may also attend open houses held by non-Muslims in conjunction with their religious celebrations as long as these events fulfill certain criteria.

“The ruling on giving greetings for non-Muslim festivals is (that it is) permissible. This ruling is considered more appropriate in the context of Malaysian society, which is multiethnic, especially in Penang,” he said.

“However, this permissibility is subject to the condition that the greeting does not contain any religious expressions that contradict the principles of Islam.”

Sukki said it was permissible for Muslims to attend open houses held by non-Muslims in conjunction with their religious celebrations as long as they do not involve practices that contradict the Islamic faith, such as the inclusion of religious symbols or idols.

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The other criteria include the event not serving food that is forbidden in Islam. The event should also not involve actions that contradict Muslims’ moral and cultural values, such as unrestricted mingling.

In addition, the event should not involve actions that may touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community, such as speeches or songs that promote non-Islamic religious propaganda or insult Islam.

Another criteria is that the event should not contradict Islamic law, such as wearing specific colours associated with other religions.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Islamic development department (Jakim) said Muslims need to observe certain guidelines when celebrating non-Muslims’ religious holidays.

Jakim said such events should not involve practices that contradict Islamic beliefs or Islamic law, and they also should not involve actions that conflict with the development of Islamic morals and culture in the country.

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It also said the events should not involve actions that could “touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community”.

Jakim called on event organisers and the public to seek the guidance of religious authorities before organising or attending celebrations involving non-Muslim religious festivals.