IPOH: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, today acknowledged and respected the invitation from the Perlis Mufti to hold a dialogue on the controversial Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024.
"I have no comment. I respect everyone's views. Each person has their own perspective to express, and I respect that," he said.
Mohd Na'im was speaking to reporters after launching the state-level Adabul Ikhtilaf (The Etiquette of Differences of Opinion in Islam) Seminar at Dewan Jubli Perak, Politeknik Ungku Omar here, today (Oct 20).
It was reported by FMT that Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin had previously criticised the bill, claiming it hinders freedom of thought and academic freedom in the name of religion. The bill defines Malaysia's adherence to the Sunni school thought in Islam, which has been seen as rejecting other schools of thought by regarding them as heretical.
In a statement, Asri said: "The religious affairs minister should be promoting an agenda of inclusiveness and moderation, in line with the concept of Madani. Unfortunately, he seems to be leading the country into a situation where fellow Muslims might accuse each other of disbelief and heresy."
Regarding the event, Na'im said the seminar aims to provide clarity on the etiquette of handling differing views.
"I have already mentioned that people hold their own perspectives on certain issues.
"So, what is important in the context of a Madani government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is for society to understand and practice proper etiquette when differences arise."
He added that such seminar will help the government provide clarity and shape a civil society that respects one another, maintains racial, national, and religious unity, and builds a strong community.
"This is crucial because as we aim for success in the context of economic development, national growth, social progress and so on.
"We can't achieve it if society is divided and does not understand the proper etiquette for handling differences in opinion," he said.