Latest news with #non-Islamic
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Jakim may set global halal standard
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia will lead discussions for a consolidified halal logo under the World Halal Council. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they are considering using the standards set by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) as the benchmark. "God willing, in November we will go to Riyadh and discuss the logo with the World Halal Council. "This means that we would not need different halal logos for different Islamic countries or non-Islamic countries that issue halal logos. Instead, we will use the standards set by Jakim as the benchmark," he said at the sidelines of the Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum today. Zahid is chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council of Malaysia.
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Penang exco calls for clear policy on construction of non-Islamic places of worship
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 By: Opalyn Mok, Malay Mail Text Size: Penang executive councillor Lim Siew Khim said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. — Picture by Opalyn Mok GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government needs to establish a clear policy regarding the construction or renovation of non-Islamic places of worship in the state, said state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim. The social, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. 'This is to ensure that the building design, structure, and location adhere to the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land use plan,' she said in response to a question by Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim (PAS–Permatang Pasir). As of May, Penang has a total of 136 illegal RIBI, with 115 on the island and 21 in Seberang Perai, Lim revealed. She said the number of illegal RIBI has decreased due to continuous monitoring and updates by both city councils. 'Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 43 illegal RIBI were identified by the Seberang Perai City Council, while the Penang Island City Council recorded 149 sites,' she said. Advertisement Lim added that the state government will continue holding engagement sessions with RIBI association representatives to emphasise the importance of submitting official applications before constructing or renovating structures. 'The state government's approach includes collaborating with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to encourage every RIBI to register their information so that the state has an official record of their existence,' she said. On enforcement, Lim said action was taken against six illegal structures, most of which were small shrines or structures encroaching on government reserve land. The six structures include one in North Seberang Perai, two in Central Seberang Perai, two in South Seberang Perai, and one in the northeast district of the island. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Penang sees decline in illegal worship sites following state monitoring
GEORGE TOWN: Nearly 200 unauthorised non-Islamic places of worship (RIBI) sites were recorded across Penang between 2023 and 2024. State Non-Islamic Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim (DAP - Sungai Pinang) said that 43 such sites were identified within the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) jurisdiction, while 149 were recorded under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). However, she said that continued data updates and consistent monitoring had led to a decline in the number of unauthorised RIBI construction sites. "As of May this year, the number of unauthorised sites under MBPP has decreased to 115, while MBSP now records 21. "This suggests that our monitoring efforts and ongoing data refinement are having a positive impact in addressing this issue," she said, responding to a question from Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim @ Md Hashim (Pas – Permatang Pasir) during the state legislative assembly sitting today. Lim added that enforcement actions had been taken against six RIBI structures, mostly comprising small shrines and minor structures encroaching on government reserve land. Meanwhile, she said the Penang government would intensify engagement with each RIBI association to stress the importance of submitting formal applications prior to any construction. As part of initial efforts, the state government has collaborated with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia to encourage all RIBIs to register and provide detailed information, thereby facilitating the maintenance of accurate official records. "The next step involves the state establishing a clear policy mandating that all construction or renovation of RIBIs must obtain Planning Permission and building plan approval via the state One-Stop Centre (OSC). "This ensures that all buildings comply with the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land-use plans," she added.
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Penang exco calls for clear policy on construction of non-Islamic places of worship
GEORGE TOWN, May 20 — The Penang state government needs to establish a clear policy regarding the construction or renovation of non-Islamic places of worship in the state, said state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim. The social, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman said such a policy would make it mandatory for places of worship (RIBI) to apply for planning permission and building plan approvals through the state's One-Stop Centre. 'This is to ensure that the building design, structure, and location adhere to the Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) and the approved land use plan,' she said in response to a question by Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim (PAS–Permatang Pasir). As of May, Penang has a total of 136 illegal RIBI, with 115 on the island and 21 in Seberang Perai, Lim revealed. She said the number of illegal RIBI has decreased due to continuous monitoring and updates by both city councils. 'Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 43 illegal RIBI were identified by the Seberang Perai City Council, while the Penang Island City Council recorded 149 sites,' she said. Lim added that the state government will continue holding engagement sessions with RIBI association representatives to emphasise the importance of submitting official applications before constructing or renovating structures. 'The state government's approach includes collaborating with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to encourage every RIBI to register their information so that the state has an official record of their existence,' she said. On enforcement, Lim said action was taken against six illegal structures, most of which were small shrines or structures encroaching on government reserve land. The six structures include one in North Seberang Perai, two in Central Seberang Perai, two in South Seberang Perai, and one in the northeast district of the island.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
OK for Muslims to attend these events: Council
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot Kuala Lumpur: It is permissible for Muslims to attend invitations or events for non-Islamic celebrations without any religious rituals, says the Chairman of the Muafakat Committee, National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) Datuk Dr Nooh Gadot. He stated that this includes open house events or dinner gatherings in conjunction with non-Islamic celebrations and the like, provided that the food served is halal and there is no entertainment or activities prohibited by Islamic law. Advertisement 'However, scholars from the four schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hambali, have unanimously agreed that it is haram and completely forbidden for Muslims to attend ritual ceremonies of non-Islamic religious celebrations. 'This prohibition includes non-Islamic religious rituals held in places of worship as well as in other venues where such rituals are commonly performed,' he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). According to him, respecting followers of other religions does not mean supporting or participating in their worship, but participation in any form of other religious celebrations or rituals, whether directly or indirectly, is contrary to Islamic teachings and can undermine faith. 'The participation of Muslims in non-Islamic religious practices brings negative consequences such as undermining the belief in monotheism, violating legal boundaries and references to valid fatwas, creating liberal thoughts without guidance from Islamic law, as well as undermining Islamic identity in society, besides causing confusion among the younger generation,' he said. Advertisement Nooh stated that the Muslim community in Malaysia can refer to the notification regarding 'Muslims Also Celebrate the Religious Holidays of Non-Muslims' published by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in 2005, as well as the legal guidelines and state fatwas on this matter. At the same time, he emphasised that maintaining faith is the responsibility of every Muslim and that the Islamic community should avoid any form of participation in the religious rituals of other religions, even for cultural or symbolic reasons. 'Educational institutions, mosques, and the media need to strengthen the proper education of faith based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. All parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and authoritative bodies, must act wisely to guide the community so that they do not get caught up in the confusion of values between religion and culture. 'The general public is also advised to always preserve their faith and religious sensitivity by not participating in any ceremonies, parades, or religious rituals of non-Islamic faiths. Such participation is feared to cause confusion, spark polemics and jeopardise the harmony of the multi-religious society in this country,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
