KUALA LUMPUR: Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, said Muslims in the state were free to visit houses of worship belonging to other faiths, provided they refrain from engaging in the rituals and prayers of those religions.
"I have complete trust in Muslims because their faith is strong and unshakable. I do not wish to dwell at length here. There is no need for any kind of polemic over this," he said.
Sultan Ibrahim further said religious harmony in the state was not a concern, citing the widespread acceptance of the "Bangsa Johor" concept.
This concept, he said promotes religious and racial diversity, as well as help in fostering values of tolerance, unity, and understanding.
"This is how it is done in Johor. We respect non-Muslims and they too must respect Muslims," he told The Star in an interview with the daily.
Sarawak's tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had on Wednesday said there is nothing wrong with visiting houses of worship of other faiths, as most people in the state, including himself, had attended missionary schools.
He further said it would not make one "less Muslim" or change their faith if they visited a church or temple.
Karim was commenting on recent attacks against Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for her ministry's involvement in the "Jom Ziarah Gereja" programme.
The 'Jom Ziarah Gereja' programme was an initiative under Project Article 11 headed by Impact Malaysia, an NGO under the ministry.
The project is named after Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
Bersatu activist, Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, had characterised the programme as "Christian evangelism."
However, Yeoh, on Tuesday, during the wind-up of the Budget 2023 for her ministry at the Dewan Rakyat clarified that the programme did not involve Muslims.
In another development, Sultan Ibrahim shared that he was working well with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"I would say it's (working relationship) better than any other previous prime ministers.
"We consult each other and exchange ideas on how we can develop the state better," he added.