KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has accused Muslim group Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) and ex-civil servants group G25 of attempting to bring in deviant, liberal ideas to the local Muslim community.
In a statement recently, Jakim director Tan Sri Datuk Othman Mustapha said the department was disappointed by statements made by an individual during a programme hosted by the two groups in a series of events last week.
The individual, identified as Dr Mun’im Sirry from the University of Notre Dame, was reported to have said the Quran was irrelevant and had originated from Mesopotamia.
“This is a false statement and goes against the opinion of our jumhur (majority) scholars. It is as if he is trying to promote new interpretation of the Quran,” Othman said.
Other than being seen as an attempt to bring in liberal ideas, Mun’im's statement was also regarded as being extremely dangerous, touching on a sensitive issue among Muslims in the country.
Jakim in its statement also urged state religious departments and relevant agencies to monitor remarks which were against the law and Islamic practices.
Regarding the programme and statement, Othman said stern action would be taken and the organisers would be called in to offer their explanation.
“It must be remembered by all parties that this country is made up of a Muslim majority which practices the Sunni denomination of Islam and the position of Islam is protected under the Federal Constitution.
“We must together preserve the harmonious practise of religions in addition to preserving the sanctity of Islam in Malaysia,” he said.
The statement made by Mun’im contradicts the belief that the Quran was delivered orally to the entire Muslim population via Prophet Muhammad in Mecca and later Medina.
The academic and expert on Quran was invited to a forum by IRF believed to be on moderation in Quran, co-hosted with G25 last week.