Latest news with #IslamicTeachings
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's first AI preacher stirs debate on Islamic principles
The launch of artificial intelligence-powered Islamic preachers has raised questions in Malaysia over the technology's potential to distort local Islamic teachings and undermine the role of qualified scholars. Advertisement In Malaysia, where Islam is the state religion, religious discourse is tightly regulated and preachers must obtain official credentials and strictly adhere to state-sanctioned interpretations of the faith – or risk infringing sharia court rulings of 'deviant teachings'. But AI avatars are on the rise, including 'AI-Dr Munir' and 'AI-Dr Munirah', which are trained on more than 9,000 published articles by former Islamic affairs minister and Kuala Lumpur mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and built using ChatGPT. The so-called Smart Sharia Officers are seen by critics as contradicting Islamic principles that emphasise learning the faith through human interaction and community. Zulkifli said on Thursday the avatars served to summarise his thoughts and answers on Islamic questions ranging from rulings, fatwa and societal issues regarding the practice of Islam. Advertisement 'Do not worry as they have been programmed to be social media-friendly,' Zulkifli said in his announcement on X. 'Their answers are also based on my stance in relation to religious matters.' Public reaction, however, has been mixed.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Perlis ruler urges rejection of superstition and deviants teachings, calls for stronger Sunni teachings
KANGAR, May 12 — The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, has called on all quarters to continue strengthening the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah in the state, which are firmly rooted in the Quran and Sunnah. His Royal Highness said support must be given to the organisation of knowledge-based programmes and beneficial activities to uphold the true teachings of Islam, and at the same time reject superstitions and deviant practices that contradict the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 'Let us prosper this state by strengthening all that is good so more people may benefit,' said Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin when officiating the closing ceremony of the 10th edition of the 'Perkampungan Sunnah' programme here last night. Also in attendance were the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also reaffirmed Perlis' position as a stronghold of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah teachings, which rejects the misuse of religious terms such as 'seeking blessings', 'sacredness' and dreams of seeing the Prophet. The programme, themed 'Mengangkat Kebijaksanaan, Meruntuh Kedangkalan', was held from May 9 until yesterday and featured nearly 60 speakers from Malaysia and abroad, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Singapore. — Bernama
