The Malaysian Insider

Malaysia

Asri slams Jais for stopping non-Muslims entering mosques

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Controversial former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin continued his campaign against his persecutors, the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), by calling the agency extremists for not allowing non-Muslims to enter mosques in the state.

He had previously said that Jais should do away with "authorisation" letters for preachers as it goes against the freedom of expression, even within Islam.

This time he picked on Jais director Datuk Mohamed Khusrin Munawi who told Utusan Malaysia that non-Muslims cannot enter mosques as "they are like women with menstruation" after an alleged ceramah by Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar in a Klang mosque.

Muslim women who are menstruating usually do not go to mosques to pray.

"This is a shallow and narrow view. This is the kind of statement that repels and alienates non-Muslims from Islam. It gives a wrong and false impression of the religion," Asri told The Malaysian Insider today.

He added that even during the time of Prophet Muhammad, non-Muslims were allowed to enter mosques as this would be the best way for them to experience the religion first hand.

"It will give non-Muslims the opportunity to get to know Islam better and Muslims too can engage them in the spirit of constructive dialogue. Isn't this good for Islam?" commented Asri.

The university lecturer also said that he is certain that Jais will not take his views well and in anticipation of that warned them against labelling him a "Wahabbi" or a follower of a purist sect in Islam not recognised by the country's religious elite.

"Don't call me a Wahabbi simply because I have different views. As I said, even at the time of the great Prophet Muhammad, non-Muslims were allowed to enter mosques," he said.

Asri and Jais have been engaging each other in an ongoing war of words. The progressive views of the former Perlis mufti do not gel with the views of the conservatives which make up the majority of the country's religious elite.

He claimed his views and his rise to prominence have been viewed as a threat to their authority, saying the “war” between them culminated in his arrest last Sunday while he was giving a private talk in Ampang. He was freed on bail and is awaiting charges for lecturing without a “tauliah” or permit.

Jais denied that Asri's arrest was politically motivated.

Comments (15)

written by mic, November 09, 2009

Asri, we non muslims are with you and support you all the way. Truth and good intentions are the right way to spread God's message.

written by Abdul Said, November 08, 2009

Mohamed Khusrin is an UMNO man. Whatever he says or does reflects the thinking of UMNO. Allah willing, UMNO will make blunder after blunder regarding Islam in this country! Just watch! If none Muslims have any questions regarding Islam please refer to other websites, I mean the foreign one like the one run by Singapore's mufti and Muslim associations Thank you.

written by Paul Ong, November 08, 2009

By mh: The churches and temples may soon follow suit and disallow those not of the faith...

Come on mh, The Churches and Temples will never ever follow the footsteps of the UMNO Muslims in this country, for the thinking of non UMNO Muslims preachers in this countries are far more superior and they knew the value of evangelizing. While the temples allow any person from any religion to pray to their God in their temples, the Christians also allow any person to sit down to witness the Church Service and only disallow certain rituals.

written by mh, November 07, 2009

As a non Muslim who longs for a better understanding of Islam, I visit mosques everywhere I travel. Even as a woman and a foreigner, I am treated with such respect and accorded a warm welcome ....except from now on at home. Apart from our iconic twin towers etc I have always taken my visitors to the mosques at Putrajaya and Shah Alam. The churches and temples may soon follow suit and disallow those not of the faith. They have been given good reason to as well, too many times and sadly so.

written by john brian, November 07, 2009

Muslims are welcome to any church. Please visit any church and you will be bless.

written by asanabastrika, November 07, 2009

Jais director Datuk Mohamed Khusrin Munawi who told Utusan Malaysia that non-Muslims cannot enter mosques as "they are like women with menstruation"

Is this Islamic teaching? Can the Muslim readers of MI enlighten us? I doubt this is the actual teaching of Islam...

written by Eddie the Yap, November 07, 2009

I am a non-Muslim, I agree with Dr Md Asri. Why make religion unapproachable? With 911, it is already bad publicity. I hope the truth in religion will outshine all the bigots.

written by swipenter, November 07, 2009

In our religious class (buddhist) every one, buddhist or otherwise is invited to come and listen and give their views on what is taught for the day. Adherents or otherwise should just be respectful when asking questions or seeking calrifications on the teachings. You dont have to agree out of politeness. In actual fact we all like to hear from people who disagree and those who are doubtful of the teachings. In this way we believe we can learn from each other and foster understanding between adherents and non adherents. This way we all grow together as humans.

written by Anak Bumi, November 07, 2009

I admire Dr. Asri's forward thinking within the Islamic perspective but will such thinking means anything in Malaysia where a more secluded thinking prevails among the conservative scholars and the Islamic Administration bodies.

Islam needs many more people like Dr. Asri to bring the religion in tendem with the developed world.

Continue your good work but becareful, don't go overboard!

written by antu, November 07, 2009

Dr Asri is right. Whay cant Non Muslim enter mosques. Let them see how muslim pray, listen to the ilmu talk of course they cant join the prayer unless there embrace Islam. Whenereve I went to the mosques, the sign 'Non Muslim not allowed in the prayer hall' and 'camera not allowed in prayer hall'. Why?. They shuld be allowed at certain decree. I wnet to nort africa with a non muslim companion and I brought him in the mosque prayer hall. He feel so calm and ask me why in Malaysia there were not allowed? Why not non muslim allowed to join in to listen to the ceramah by prestigiuos Ustaz and mingle with the jemaah of course if preach in English is better since foreigner too will be able to understand. Maybe they should arrange for English ceramah too. However, if DR Jeya was there to gave a non religion ceramah or speech to widespread the state goverment activities etc why not! unless of course if he giving a political ceramah or without tauliah speaking about Islam that is abuse the mosque intrigity. However If there are muslims representive around to gave the speech then may be we dont need Dr Jeya there to speak but he can join as an audience. Most mosque are very big, beside being used for muslim prayer, it can also use for community activies regardless of religion. Some space can be rented as a tution centre, community hall ,child care centre for all and etc. Why not?What ever is it Mosque is Rumah Allah and wallahualam.

written by Newchief, November 07, 2009

there is only ONE LAW in every religion but there's always someone in malaysia trying to create more laws for the religions which either make the religions look funny, ridiculous or even confusing.

in the ned, which law is applicable in this modern age era is anyone's guess.

written by Xavier, November 07, 2009

The Muslim proffesionals forum and Islamic renaissance organisation views raises doubts about JAIS motives.Could it be that these folks find the knowledge and charisma of Asri an affront to their position as guardians of faith?Since debate is welcome,do JAIS find that they are not savvy enough to take on the man and rebutt him where necessary and instead of'dialogue and leaning towards truth' they would rather lean menacingly on the man and gnash their teeth?The word of law can forbid but the spirit of law has to be for the noble cause .If a man does not speak against the faith then he speaks for it whether with tauliah or not.How do you measure up JAIS?

written by The Observer, November 07, 2009

This country needs broad minded leaders, whether political or religious, who can respect others thoughts and views. Otherwise this country is doomed to failure, retreating back to the Caves and Trees.

written by the problem is...., November 07, 2009

The problem lies with some human beings on earth who tend to act like God setting their own set of religious rules and regulations!

Come on, you are just another ordinary human being like you and me!

written by Steven Ong, November 07, 2009

Its a common problem wherever we goes to. People are usually self righteous and proud to be what ever they are. Be they Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Buddhists.Even atheists. They are proud to be what they have choosen, without ever trying to know more about other teaching and beliefs.
When we fail to read and learn about others, we are in danger of falling into pride that would reject any other thoughts and behaviours. We tend to think that we are right and others are wrong. Slowly this builts up and we start to hate , then to oppress and force others to follows our beliefs and thoughts. This is dangerous. It could lead to wars as its happening now

If we cant see others as equals and love them as ourselves, then we as bad and evil as we think others are. To love is to die and not hit back as we thought that we must live and others must die.
To say that others are unclean and Muslims are, is the most evil thoughts that can come from a fellow human being. They cannot be following a good teacher. As only God is good and God love all, then whoever obey God must also love their fellow neighbours. What ever their beliefs. race or creeds. If one do not want others to enter his beautiful garden, does he expect God to let him enter His more beautiful garden? Does he think that God loves Muslims only? God loves all and who ever obeys Him and do good to others , pleases Him. Muslims must forget that thruth and goodness only comes from Islamic teachings. This Muslims must learn more and not be deceived, and continue to stay in the dark.