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A CELEBRITY preacher has weighed in on the recent debate surrounding non-Muslim leaders wearing a headscarf when visiting mosques.
Popular Islamic speaker and podcaster Amin Idris has urged the public to approach the issue with religious understanding and avoid politicising the matter.
His remarks come amid discussions sparked by criticism directed at Hannah Yeoh over her attire in different religious contexts.
According to Amin, Islamic sources do not prohibit non-Muslims from entering mosques, except for Masjid al-Haram.
He explained that the prohibition is clearly mentioned in the Quran, specifically in Surah At-Tawbah, which states that non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the sacred sanctuary.
“Outside of Masjidil Haram, there is no specific textual evidence that forbids non-Muslims from entering mosques,” he said.
Role of leaders in a multi-religious society
Speaking to The Vibes, Amin highlighted that when the individual involved is a non-Muslim leader responsible for governing a diverse population, visiting mosques can be part of engaging with Muslim constituents.
“If a non-Muslim leader governs a state or a country, all citizens fall under their leadership, including Muslims,” he explained.
“The mosque is one of the places where Muslim communities gather, so it is reasonable for leaders to meet there.”
He added that entering a mosque comes with certain etiquette and manners that visitors should observe.
In such settings, Amin said it is not wrong for a non-Muslim woman to wear a headscarf as a gesture of respect.
“In fact, it is better if a non-Muslim leader wears a tudung when visiting a mosque,” he said, noting that it reflects courtesy toward the sanctity of the place.
Politics and public perception
However, Amin suggested that some of the criticism surrounding the issue may stem from political biases rather than genuine religious concerns.
He noted that in political discourse, actions are sometimes judged differently depending on who performs them.
“From a political lens, if it is not someone from a particular group, even a correct action may be criticised,” he said.
“But if it is someone from their own side, even mistakes may be justified.”
Ultimately, Amin stressed that the public should focus on a leader’s actions rather than speculating about their personal intentions.
“If a non-Muslim leader wears a tudung while meeting Muslim citizens, it is a positive gesture,” he said.
“What matters is that their actions show respect toward Islam.”
He added that sincerity of intention is something only God knows.
“What is in a person’s heart is not for us to judge. What we evaluate are their actions and how they treat the community,” he added. – March 13, 2026