PEKAN: Pahang Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council (Muip) has warned mosques and surau authorities not to misuse the premises to propagate political agenda during the Ramadan tazkirah (religious sermon) sessions.
Muip deputy president Datuk Sri Wan Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan said this was to ensure Muslims respect the mosque as a place of worship and not hold activities that can tarnish their image during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said political talks should not take place, especially when Muslims converge the place to perform their terawih prayers during Ramadan.
"We will not tolerate such activities and if Muip receives any reports, we will not hesitate to suspend the respective committee member from his duties. Muip will also make arrangements to deploy our officers to monitor tazkirah sessions.
"Such activities should not be allowed as it will only smear the good name of Islam. Ramadan should be a month for us to increase our remembrance of Allah," he told reporters after handing over 600 Al-Quran books and Ramadhan cash assistance at the Muip lecture hall here today.
Meanwhile Abdul Wahid also announced that 945 amil (tithe collectors) have been appointed to handle the zakat payments in the state and reminded those who wanted to pay their zakat to ensure they do not get duped.
"We have received reports on the presence of unregistered tithe collectors who have been actively collecting the cash and using them for their own needs.
Stern action will be take against those caught involved in such activities.
"Those who want to pay their tithes should ensure the collector has an authorisation card issued by Muip before making any payments," he said adding Muip has set aside RM5.8 million aid for mosques and surau throughout the state in conjunction with the fasting month.
