KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has urged organisers of ‘One Million Muslims Rally’ to comply with regulations and ensure that it proceeds peacefully.
He said the organisers have obtained a permit and hopes that they could control participants during the rally at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.
“The organisers have given an undertaking that it is different and not beyond control as it is held to defend Islam and for Muslim unity.
“The atmosphere and the situation is different from a rally based on anger. Having the rally in a stadium helps to reduce problems,” he told reporters at parliament lobby here yesterday.
The ‘One Million Muslims Rally’ is organised by Muslim Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) known as Muslim Organisations Group (Himpun) to send a message to various parties on the issue of apostasy among Muslims in the country.
On another note, Jamil advised state Islamic religious councils and state Islamic departments to select Imams according to the criteria specified.
The criteria are health, experience and knowledge so that they can best serve the local Muslim community.
“Islamic religious affairs come under the states which give current input for the appointment of Imams while Jakim (Islamic Development Department Malaysia) only process payment of allowances,” he added. — Bernama