Jais closes book on prayer hall uproar after Selayang mosque guardian resigns

(MMO) – The Selayang mosque nazir or guardian has resigned, accepting responsibility for the uproar that erupted after allowing a non-Muslim politician to speak inside its prayer hall, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) said.

As such, the controversy is deemed to have ended, Jais director Datuk Haris Kasim said, Malay daily Sinar Harian reported today.

He also said Jais will issue a formal reminder to Selayang MP William Leong (pic) to desist from entering and delivering speeches from the inner sanction of mosques in the state.

“We will present a letter to that Member of Parliament to not do it again. So, this case is considered settled.

“Besides that, we have already called the nazir and several mosque committee members to explain and to help in investigations. The mosque guardian has agreed to resign as he feels responsible,” he was quoted saying.

Haris also cited the Selangor Sultan’s decree that mosques should be political-free zones, urging everyone to comply with rules barring the use of mosques by politicians for their political interests.

Non-Muslims are allowed to visit mosques but are barred from entering its prayer hall to hold any activity under the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995, and can be punished with a two-year jail term or fined RM3,000 or both if found guilty, Selangor mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid said in a separate report in Sinar Harian.

Leong entered the prayer hall of the Selayang mosque during the Muslim fasting month and was accused of delivering a speech, reportedly upsetting some Muslims.

The PKR lawmaker has since denied making any political speech, saying he only wished the congregation “Selamat berpuasa” and “Selamat berbuka”.