Latest news with #JohorIslamicReligiousCouncil
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Mass wedding joy: Ten couples tie the knot under one roof
PONTIAN: A joyous wave of matrimony swept through Dewan Muafakat Taman Saujana today, as 10 couples exchanged vows and celebrated their unions in a grand joint ceremony. The event, held in conjunction with the Johor Islamic Religious Council's 100th anniversary, drew a crowd of over 2,000 guests. Five jurunikah (marriage registrars) from Johor Baru, Kulai, Batu Pahat and Pontian officiated the mass solemnisation under one roof. Clad in colourful wedding attire, the couples were ushered into the hall to the rhythmic beat of the kompang, beginning their short procession from the main entrance at around 11am. The Majlis Walimatul Urus Perdana Peringkat Daerah Pontian was officiated by district officer Kamaludin Jamal. For newlyweds Muhammad Zarith Irsyad Asmawi and Nurfanaf Liyana Ruslan, both 23, the occasion was a beautiful, memorable and cost-effective celebration. He recalled meeting his wife at a friend's wedding less than a year ago. "I never imagined that meeting would lead us here today," he said, adding that the mass wedding saved them time and money, and gave them a unique story to share. His father, Mohd Ruslan Samud, 55, from Kampung Parit Seraya, Benut, praised the initiative and expressed hope it would continue. "It brings people together and eases a huge burden for families. Everything is done in one go," said Ruslan, a farmer. His wife, Hamidahwati Paing, 41, described the concept as meaningful, practical and deserving of becoming a local tradition.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Preacher detained for allegedly giving lecture without accreditation in Johor
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) detained a man yesterday for allegedly delivering religious lectures without accreditation. The preacher, 50, was arrested at 8.30pm by JAINJ's enforcement unit at a private residence in Pasir Gudang, with assistance from officers of the Seri Alam police district headquarters. JAINJ director Nasri Md Ali said the preacher is being investigated under Section 11 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997 for preaching without accreditation. "He was conducting a 'ceramah' before a small group at someone's home, which is used daily for religious sessions after maghrib and subuh prayers," he said. The lecture was also livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, though the videos have since been removed. "He is now under investigation. His unauthorised 'ceramah' were raised in the council meeting earlier this month and flagged for immediate action by the accreditation committee," said Nasri. "This is not the first time the preacher has been was previously detained in 2016 for a similar offence. In 2020, we attempted another raid, but he escaped during the session. This is the third time action has been taken against him." Nasri reminded all religious speakers to obtain accreditation from the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) before delivering sermons, in line with the requirements enforced in all states. Earlier, celebrity preacher Ustaz Abdullah Khairi uploaded a two-minute, 57-second video of the arrest, which went viral on social media. He questioned the grounds for the detention and what offence was committed by the preacher, who goes by the moniker "Tok Ku Pasir Gudang".
Barnama
26-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
A Reward In Time: Man Performs Haj 36 Years After Embracing Islam
From Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan MAKKAH, May 26 (Bernama) -- After 36 years of his conversion to Islam, Mohd Saufi Lim Abdullah, 71, finally stepped foot in the Holy Land to complete the fifth pillar of Islam, the sacred pilgrimage. Formerly known as Kris Lim, Mohd Saufi, who is of Baba and Nyonya descent, described his conversion as the most profound spiritual journey of his life. He has since held on to the dream of performing the haj. "I was overwhelmed with emotion and thought, why wasn't I told earlier that Islam is the truth... that it helps us to better ourselves. Islam is not just a set of teachings but a way of life. It taught me how to be a better human being," he said when met at Abraj Al Tayseer here recently. Mohd Saufi, who lives in Bintulu, Sarawak, said he was 35 and active as a preacher of another faith involved in overseas missions, including the Philippines. "When the economy took a downturn, I was sent to a house of worship in Johor Bahru. I became friends with Malay youths there who showed me the beauty of Islam. They set a good example, which drew me in," he said. He said before he accepted the Islamic faith, he had a strange dream that marked his spiritual journey where he saw himself caught in a struggle between his former beliefs and the Islamic faith. "I dreamt that one foot was in a boat while the other was on a jetty. The boat represents my former religion, and the sturdy jetty symbolised Islam," he added. Mohd Saufi recited the syahadah (declaration of faith) at the Johor Islamic Religious Council office in 1989, a month after his dream.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MAINJ improves housing assistance for asnaf
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) has enhanced its home construction and repair assistance scheme, to provide better support for the asnaf (those eligible to receive tithe) across the state. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the improvements include raising the allocation for new house construction from RM78,000 to RM96,000, and increasing the repair cost ceiling from RM18,000 to RM20,000. "The objective of this scheme is to provide comfortable and safe housing for the asnaf, improve the living standards of the low-income group according to the had kifayah, and reduce the financial burden related to housing," he said, at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar, here, today. He said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), regarding MAINJ's role in supporting Muslims without home ownership, through its housing construction and repair assistance scheme. Mohd Fared said that the scheme was first introduced in 2009. "From 2009 to 2023, a total of 1,125 houses were repaired, at a cost of RM14.79 million, while 1,286 new houses were built, with an expenditure of RM50.39 million," he added.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MAINJ improves housing assistance for asnaf
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) has enhanced its home construction and repair assistance scheme, to provide better support for the asnaf (those eligible to receive tithe) across the state. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the improvements include raising the allocation for new house construction from RM78,000 to RM96,000, and increasing the repair cost ceiling from RM18,000 to RM20,000. 'The objective of this scheme is to provide comfortable and safe housing for the asnaf, improve the living standards of the low-income group according to the had kifayah, and reduce the financial burden related to housing,' he said, at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar, here, today. He said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Jefridin Atan (BN-Kukup), regarding MAINJ's role in supporting Muslims without home ownership, through its housing construction and repair assistance scheme. Mohd Fared said that the scheme was first introduced in 2009. 'From 2009 to 2023, a total of 1,125 houses were repaired, at a cost of RM14.79 million, while 1,286 new houses were built, with an expenditure of RM50.39 million,' he added.
