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MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, has expressed deep regret over the politicisation of Islamic prayer during a recent public rally in the capital.
In a recent statement shared via social media, the minister criticised a politician for what he described as a disrespectful act that weaponised prayer for partisan gain and sowed division among Muslims.
“The content of the prayer is deeply troubling, as it contained baseless accusations against the national leadership and fostered discord within the Muslim community,” he said.
He warned that such misuse of religious supplication could incite extremism and radicalism among the general public.
“Prayer is a sacred bond between servant and Allah SWT. It is a means of seeking mercy, forgiveness and strength in the face of life’s trials,” he added.
In light of the incident, Dr Mohd Na’im urged the public to be vigilant against those who exploit religious acts for self-interest or political agendas, cautioning against any narrow interpretation that disregards the Islamic principles underpinning the sanctity of prayer.
The Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM) also voiced concern over elements of the same rally, including the use of *Qunut Nazilah* targeting national leaders, the spreading of unproven accusations of sodomy, and the display of an effigy depicting a leader being flogged.
Its Director-General, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil, described the incidents as a serious breach of Islamic ethics and decorum.
“Prayer is a noble act of worship and must be carried out with wisdom and sincerity, free from emotional provocation or political interest,” he said.
He further noted that the dissemination of unproven sodomy allegations without four credible male witnesses constitutes *qazaf*—a grave offence in Islamic law—while the use of symbolic public humiliation undermines the values of dignity and decency cherished by Malaysian society. - July 29, 2025