MELAKA: Local speakers from outside Melaka or abroad who want to conduct missionary work (dakwah) in this state need to obtain special permission from the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM).
Melaka mufti Abdul Halim Tawil said this was a precautionary measure to ensure these speakers do not sow seeds of discord among the various communities in the state.
“If local speakers are from outside Melaka, we will check if they have obtained credentials from their home state. At the same time, they can apply for a preaching certificate in Melaka.
“As for Melaka itself, we will check whether the person has obtained a preaching certificate from us,” he told reporters after performing Aidilfitri prayers at the Al-Azim Mosque in Bukit Palah here today.
Halim said overseas speakers need to submit their applications within the stipulated time, including their biodata and travel history, to enter Malaysia legally.
“We don’t have a black or white list, but they (organisers and speakers) must be honest and responsible.
“If they don’t respect the state of origin where they reside to get a certificate, I think it’s a bit difficult for us to consider them,” he said.
He said organisers need to submit the applications of speakers from other states at least two weeks before any event at a mosque or surau.