KANGAR: Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has expressed his displeasure over any attempt to define Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah in the country based on just 'al Asyairah' and 'al Maturidiah' streams.
His Majesty decreed that such a move is against the spirit of inclusivity and could even create elements of sectarianism among the Muslim community in the country.
"I wish to inform that I have been monitoring closely and carefully deliberating on the polemic that emerged following the tabling of Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat recently.
"Upon scrutinising the Bill, I am of the view that it is unbecoming to narrow down the definition of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah from the 'akidah' perspective just based on al Asyairah and al Maturidiah streams from the 'fiqh' angle in this beloved country.
"In fact, only the Mazhab Syafie jurisprudence that honours three other Mazhabs and from the 'tasawuf' of Imam Ghazali and Imam Junaid.
"Therefore, such a move is not inclusive in nature and could even lead to sectarian elements amongst the Muslim community in the country," Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said in a statement issued by Istana Arau today.
His Majesty argued that he is not aware if the issue concerning al Asyairah and al Maturidiah, and the move to limit the mazhab has been decided in consensus and whether this is in accordance with the 'syura' principle in the Conference of Rulers.
"As such, I do not want the Conference of Rulers being dragged into and being used to support the Bill.
"I wish to highlight that Article 5 of the Perlis State Constitution 1948 has stated that the official religion of Perlis state is Islam Ahli Sunnah Waljama'ah, as to what has been practised in the state," he said.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said, as the head of religion in Perlis, he is obliged to make sure that the understanding of Islamic religions must be in a harmonious situation.
"It must also prioritise universal unity and free from extreme elements that reject differing views and knowledge of Islamic scholars.
"The wide acceptance of various religious practices has long been embraced and practised by the Muslim community in this country, which also celebrates different views from all over the world," he said.
In this regard, His Majesty said the Federal Territory should uphold the spirit of federalism.
"Other Muslim nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar and the rest will be easily deemed as being disqualified among the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah if this narrow definition is continued.
"I hope that everything that I have mentioned in this decree will be given due attention by all quarters," he said.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin urged all parties to be cautious, forward-thinking and be full of wisdom and courteous in every move so that whatever decision being made would lead towards a prolonged dispute.
Yesterday, Perlis Mufti, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, conveyed the Raja of Perlis displeasure over the use of the Conference of Rulers' name in efforts to support the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill.
Asri has said Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin did not consent to the use of the Conference of Rulers' name in supporting the Bill.
On July 2, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar presented for the first reading in Parliament three bills concerning Islamic affairs in the country.