KUALA TERENGGANU, 26 Aug 2008: The National Fatwa Council has proposed the setting up of a joint committee of civil and syariah lawyers to resolve issues involving religion.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such a committee was necessary so that sensitive religious issues could be discussed behind closed doors for the good of all parties.
Speaking after chairing a special meeting of the National Fatwa Council here today, he also proposed that the conflicting views among ulama on religious matters also be addressed as they could cause confusion among Muslims and non-Muslims, too.
“We feel that the council should speak or decide on religious matters involving national issues, while for the states, the Mufti could express the views.”
He said the council was also thinking of a suitable mechanism to immediately address problems or issue an edict on religious matters that suddenly emerge, as presently the council only met once every two months.
Asked about a special prayer session organised by the opposition at a mosque in Permatang Pauh recently for the "destruction" of certain individuals in the country, Ahmad Zahid said Islam did not teach its followers to do this, but to pray for the well-being of oneself and others.
“These people need to go back to religious school. To pray for someone’s
downfall or misfortune is abhorred in Islam,” he said. – Bernama
