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Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sultan of Selangor ‘sad and disappointed' over Federal Court's SIS fatwa ruling
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed disappointment and sadness with regard to the Federal Court's decision. The court ruled that a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee does not apply to the Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution, but only to individuals. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, the ruler expressed his agreement with the statement issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) regarding the court decision. Following this, the Sultan of Selangor, as the Head of Islam in the state, urged the SIS Forum Malaysia to cease using the term Sisters in Islam in any publication or platform associated with the organisation. This request was made to prevent the indiscriminate use of the term Islam for the benefit and interest of the organisation. 'His Majesty emphasised that the misuse of the term Islam in the name and publications of SIS Forum Malaysia can cause confusion among the Muslim community,' the post said. Earlier today, the Federal Court granted an appeal by SIS Forum Malaysia and its co-founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, challenging the 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee. The fatwa had labelled the organisation as deviating from Islamic teachings. A four-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in a 3-1 majority decision, set aside the fatwa regarding its applicability to companies and institutions. Mais Chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin earlier said that the council disagrees with part of the Federal Court's ruling, particularly the decision that the fatwa dated July 31, 2014, applies only to individuals and not to SIS Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution. He added that Mais had expressed sadness that the decision indirectly interferes with the process of issuing and applying fatwas related to Islamic law. 'Mais is also concerned that the Federal Court's majority decision in this case could open the door for irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam in companies, organisations, or institutions to practise and spread deviant teachings, thereby evading enforcement action. 'If this situation continues, it will cause confusion and may undermine the faith of Muslims,' he said. Salehuddin said that Mais fully agreed with Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais' dissenting judgment, which asserted that the jurisdiction for resolving disputes concerning the fatwa lies with the Syariah Court based on the nature of the matter. 'He (Abu Bakar) also said that although the company in this case is not a natural person who can profess the religion of Islam, the company is still subject to the fatwa. 'This is based on the name SIS — Sisters in Islam, which clearly reflects an Islamic identity, and the company's activities involve publications and statements on matters related to Islam. This is further reinforced by the fact that the founders and directors of the company are Muslims,' he said. Salehuddin added that the dissenting judgment aligns with the arguments put forth by Mais in the case. This refers to the concept of an artificial person or 'syakhsiyyah i'itibariyyah' in Islamic jurisprudence, which permits actions to be taken against a company or organisation. He said that Mais will continue to work alongside other religious authorities in Selangor to monitor and enforce actions against deviant teachings that contradict Islam. Salehuddin also urged the Muslim community to avoid any involvement in or support for programmes linked to ideologies deemed deviant and contrary to Islam, such as liberalism and religious pluralism. 'Mais also reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing and taking appropriate action in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments, as well as state Islamic religious councils and with the support of the royal institutions, to strengthen existing laws and uphold the status of Islam in accordance with its position as the religion of the Federation,' he said. Salehuddin said Mais' position was conveyed to the Sultan of Selangor, who agreed with the contents of the statement issued by Mais concerning the court decision. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Selangor sultan urges SIS to cease using ‘Islam' in its name
Selangor Sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed disappointment with the Federal Court's decision earlier this morning. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the head of Islam in the state, is urging women's rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) to cease arbitrarily using the word 'Islam' in its name or in any of the company's publications, after the Federal Court quashed a religious edict issued by the state's authorities earlier today. SIS is a company limited by guarantee established under the Companies Act 1965. 'The word 'Islam' should not be arbitrarily used to benefit the company or for its interest,' Sultan Sharafuddin said. The statement was published on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page. The sultan also said the 'misuse' of the word 'Islam' in SIS's name and publications could cause confusion among the Muslim community. He also expressed agreement with the Selangor Islamic religious council's (Mais) statement responding to the apex court's decision. Mais had pointed out that the Federal Court also declared as unconstitutional the state provision which allowed it to ban and confiscate material related to 'liberalism' and 'religious pluralism'. The council said it respected but disagreed with the court's decision, claiming it was akin to interfering in the formulation and implementation of fatwas based on Islamic law. It also expressed concern that the decision would lead to 'irresponsible' groups using 'Islam' in the names of their organisations or entities while practising and spreading deviant Islamic teachings. Mais said it would continue to work with the state's religious authorities to monitor and take action on anyone spreading deviant teachings. In a majority decision earlier today, the Federal Court ruled that a fatwa could not be imposed on an organisation like SIS which could not 'profess' a religion. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the phrase 'persons professing the religion of Islam' in the Federal Constitution refers exclusively to natural persons, not entities such as companies or organisations. Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Justice Nallini Pathmanathan formed the majority in the ruling while Justice Abu Bakar Jais dissented. SIS had sought to quash a 2014 fatwa by Mais that the NGO had deviated from the teachings of Islam by purportedly subscribing to 'liberalism' and 'religious pluralism'. The group contended that the fatwa was unconstitutional and could not be imposed on a corporate entity governed by civil law. It failed in its previous challenge of the fatwa in the lower courts between 2019 and 2023.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Royal warning on haj travel scams
Gathering in faith: Sultan Sharafuddin with Amirudin (in purple) meeting with congregants at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam. — Bernama SHAH ALAM: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. The Ruler said this in a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, in which His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia. His Royal Highness also called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs, Bernama reported. At the same time, Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. According to the statement, the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri also hoped that this Aidiladha would inspire all Muslims to be grateful for Allah's blessings and to perform the sacrificial rites to help the poor, as well as reflect on the plight of the less fortunate. Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin performed the solat sunat Aidiladha with more than 10,000 congregants at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam yesterday. Also present was Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Malay Mail
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor Sultan extends Aidiladha greetings, calls for stricter measures against rising haj scams
SHAH ALAM, June 7 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. In this regard, His Royal Highness decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. Sultan Sharafuddin said this in a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, in which His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia. Sultan Sharafuddin also called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs. At the same time, Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. According to the statement, the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri also hoped that this Aidiladha would inspire all Muslims to be grateful for Allah's blessings and to perform the sacrificial rites to help the poor, as well as reflect on the plight of the less fortunate. — Bernama
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sultan of Selangor laments rise in haj scams, calls for firm action
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the rise in fraudulent haj travel packages affecting Muslims in the country. His Royal Highness said it was especially disheartening that those exploiting the situation were Muslims themselves, who were willing to deceive their fellow believers for personal gain. In this regard, His Royal Highness decreed that stern action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that take advantage of and deceive Muslims. Sultan Sharafuddin said this in a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, in which His Royal Highness and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, extended Hari Raya Aidiladha greetings to Muslims across Malaysia. Sultan Sharafuddin also called on Muslims to uphold the sanctity of the haj by ensuring that all arrangements are made through licensed and recognised agents and companies authorised by the authorities to manage haj and umrah affairs. At the same time, Their Royal Highnesses prayed that Malaysian pilgrims would be granted a mabrur haj and return home safely. According to the statement, the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri also hoped that this Aidiladha would inspire all Muslims to be grateful for Allah's blessings and to perform the sacrificial rites to help the poor, as well as reflect on the plight of the less fortunate. — BERNAMA
