SHAH ALAM, Feb 24 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) will take a hard line against unlicensed preachers, with legal action enforced to ensure mosques and suraus remain free from deviant teachings and hate-driven influences.
Its director, Dato’ Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad, said last year nine preachers without proper certification faced action under Section 119 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment.
“At mosques and suraus, the preachers are licensed, but we have detected cases where individuals without certification are brought in, especially ahead of Ramadan.
“The administration of mosques and suraus is aware that such actions are wrong and can result in legal consequences. Enforcement aims to curb the spread of deviant teachings and ensure preachers do not promote partisan politics,” he told Media Selangor.
He added that the enforcement is not intended to restrict the dissemination of knowledge but to ensure mosques and suraus remain neutral institutions and do not become arenas of division.
“Previously, politics was used for unity, but today it can lead to division. If politics enters mosques and suraus, even those in the right can be seen as wrong.
“Even licensed preachers can spread unusual narratives, let alone those without certification. That is why Section 119 is enforced — to prevent division. If mosques and suraus become platforms for discord, what else will the Muslim community have?” he emphasised.
Earlier, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj decreed that programmes to enliven mosques, such as lectures and sermons, may only be delivered by individuals certified by the Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS).
Sultan Sharafuddin also stipulated that foreign preachers are only permitted to deliver lectures at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Bukit Jelutong, Masjid Diraja Sultan Sulaiman Klang, and Masjid Raja Haji Fi Sabilillah Cyberjaya.
