Let Shia Muslims practise faith in private, says Penang mufti

PETALING JAYA: The mufti of Penang appears to have broken ranks with Islamic authorities in the wake of a recent series of crackdowns on Shia Muslims, saying followers should be allowed the freedom to practise their beliefs.

“If adherents of other religions are allowed to practise their faiths in private, why are the Shias excluded? We must be consistent, not selective,” he told FMT. Wan Salim however advised Shia Muslims to keep their beliefs to themselves and not to propagate them to other Muslims.“On one hand, the government has to respect the school of thought followed by the majority Muslims in Malaysia. On the other hand, it also has to ensure good ties with Iran and other predominantly Shia Muslim countries.

“This includes arresting individuals and groups who could cause confusion in the Muslim community in the respective states,” he said, noting that the arrests were made based on the decision by the National Fatwa Consultation Committee in 1996 prohibiting the spread of any teachings other than those of Sunni Islam.

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