Special credentials will curb rampant emergence of religious speakers

By Noraizura Ahmad and Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The special credentials issued by the respective states’ Islamic religious departments are still relevant in curbing the rampant emergence of independent speakers in delivering religious talks on any platforms including on the social media, said Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid.

He stressed that individuals who did not possess the necessary credentials as religious speakers were prohibited from delivering talks, and they could face legal action.

There were specific regulations being enforced in each state to curb individuals who did not have the necessary credentials in delivering religious talks to avoid confusion.

“We are not suppressing the speakers but it is better for them to have the special credentials because we are convinced that they (those with credentials) subscribed to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Sunni Islam) teachings and not others,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Tamyes said in order to curb the 'dumping’ of the independent speakers, the community also had to play a role by reporting any religious lecture from unauthorised speakers and to conduct a checklist of accredited speakers on their respective state Islamic religious department websites.

The issue of religious speakers has been hotly debated among the netizens who voiced their concern on a certain group of ‘preachers’ over the way they discuss religious matters openly particularly those involving religious laws, without having a reliable Islamic academic background.

In fact, many claimed that there were individuals who brazenly called themselves as an ‘ustaz’ and used it as a licence to deliver religious talks and shared information that was based solely on their own experience or opinion and not based on the Quranic verses and the authentic Hadith.

A check at the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s (JAIS) website, under Section 119 of the Islamic Religious Administration (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003, it stipulates that any person wanting to spread the teachings of Islam without the necessary credentials shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM3,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding two years or both if convicted.

However, the section does not apply to any individual who teaches or speaks at home to his family members.

Based on Section 118 (3) of the same enactment, the four categories of credentials, namely, for teaching or lecture (D1), for teaching Fardu Ain (D2), teaching the Quran (D3) and special credential (for individuals not from religious background but have skills in their respective fields such as development, entrepreneurship and medical).

Meanwhile, Malaysian Pondok Development Foundation executive chairman Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said the rampant emergence of independent religious speakers on social sites should be monitored.

She also suggested that the government through the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to establish a special body to monitor and control this situation.

Mashitah also suggested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) monitored religious speakers on social sites and for the community to report to the relevant authorities on speakers believed to be delivering religious talks that could cause confusion and were not in accordance with the Islamic teachings.

Bernama’s checks found that members of the public were of the view that the certificate should be presented as proof that the speaker had necessary academic qualification in the field of religion to speak at an event or at any media platform.

Marketing officer Siti Aisyah Maimunah Ja’afar, 24, said that the special credentials should be streamlined and coordinated among the states to ensure that only accredited speakers be allowed to give lectures.

“With this special certificate, we can ensure that the speakers have the necessary credentials, accountable and have been screened by the religious department apart from having a strong Islamic educational background to deliver their lectures.

“Religious issue is not something to be taken lightly, if the wrong information is disseminated then it is possible that the people who listen to it will go astray or practice the wrong things,” she told Bernama.

Civil servant Mohd Nor Alhadi Mat Yaacob, 30, said the special credentials would also enable the public to check on the speakers’ credibility, and he also proposed that every religious speaker and lecture programmes be monitored particularly on social media platforms.

“Personally, I think the speakers must have the necessary credentials, as it is feared that what he delivers in his talks might be against the Islamic teachings. The religious departments should also monitor the speakers especially those who are new and tend to deliver talks on social sites such as Facebook Live,” he said.

-- BERNAMA