2+ week, 3+ day ago (594+ words) KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 " Guidelines for the implementation of multi-level graves in the Federal Territories are being drafted based on a study conducted by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as part of efforts to explore new alternatives to address cemetery space shortages. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the study also included an evaluation of cemetery models in Singapore, Kedah and Penang. "We do not want to rush into its implementation as several factors need to be considered, including local customs, sensitivities and community practices. "The results of this study, Insya-Allah, will be used in drafting guidelines for multi-level graves. This is something new. The management of these multi-level graves, for example, at the Al-Jamiul Badawi Mosque in Penang, can be used as a…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (282+ words) KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 13 " Nine mosques in Terengganu have been gazetted as official locations for the execution of caning sentences under shariah law outside prisons, which came into effect on November 20 last year. State Information, Dakwah and Shariah Empowerment Committee chairman (exco) Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi said the designation of these locations was made after receiving the consent of the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and the approval of the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam). "In Kuala Terengganu district, two mosques have been selected, namely Masjid Abidin and Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, while one mosque has been chosen in each of the other districts. "These locations were selected to facilitate management and ensure the execution process follows proper procedures," he told reporters after the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Iman here today. Muhammad…...

3+ day, 6+ hour ago (138+ words) KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 " His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has urged Muslims to stay vigilant and not be easily influenced by deviant teachings or ideologies that contradict true Islamic principles. His Majesty said that the spread of deviant doctrines is becoming increasingly concerning, particularly through social media platforms. According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's official Facebook page, Sultan Ibrahim today granted an audience to Johor Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad and Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) director Nasri Md Ali. During the audience, Yahya briefed His Majesty on JAINJ's initiatives to combat deviant teachings in Johor, including monitoring attempts to propagate such ideologies, particularly by individuals from outside the state. Sultan Ibrahim also advised Muslims to continually deepen their religious knowledge, strengthen their understanding, and practise the true values of Islam. " Bernama...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (302+ words) SEPANG, Oct 31 " Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will study a proposal for individuals aged 60 and above to be automatically eligible to perform the Haj under the muassasah package. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said TH is currently maintaining the "first come, first served" policy in determining the order of Haj pilgrims. "The current policy is that whoever registers first will be given priority. However, I understand the issue concerning age, and God willing, the proposal will be discussed and considered by TH," he told reporters after attending the 1447H/2026M Haj Pilgrimage Organisers' Licence handover ceremony here yesterday. Yesterday, several MPs proposed that senior citizens aged 60 and above be granted automatic approval to perform the Haj through the muassasah package without having to make an appeal or pay the full cost of RM33,300. When asked to…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (237+ words) JOHANNESBURG, Nov 21 " Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia is ready to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector with countries in Africa, as stated in a meeting with South African Islamic leaders here. He said this included the development of halal certification as well as capacity building that could provide added value to the local Muslim community. "Starting today's programme with an engagement session with South African Islamic leaders, a meeting that opened up a meaningful space for us to discuss, exchange views and identify efforts to strengthen the development of the ummah," he said in a post on social media after the meeting. "As a symbol of brotherhood, I also donated a special edition copy of the Quran with rehal, in addition to four boxes of English-language and Tajweed-translated Qurans," said the Prime Minister. Anwar, who is currently…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (285+ words) JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 5 " Muslim Friendly Watch (MFW) today announced its official dissolution under the Societies Act 1966 (Act 335), following the controversy surrounding its Muslim Choice initiative. In a statement today, MFW said it has also taken immediate and responsible steps to cease all operations and systems operating under its banner. "This move reflects our obedience to the religious authorities and our awareness of the need to safeguard the welfare of the ummah and the good name of Islam in Malaysia," the statement read. MFW also acknowledged that all actions and decisions taken by the authorities are based on religious interests, social harmony, and the need to protect the sensitivities of the Muslim community." "Therefore, we accept this decision with an open heart, a sense of responsibility, and humility," the group said. The non-governmental organisation said the dissolution process will be carried…...

4+ day, 23+ hour ago (485+ words) BETHLEHEM, Nov 25 " A vehicle used by the late Pope Francis during a visit to Bethlehem more than a decade ago has been transformed into a mobile health clinic that Christian leaders hope will soon be used to provide care to Palestinian children in Gaza. The initiative was blessed by Francis before he died in April and was entrusted to the Catholic organisation Caritas, which oversaw the project to convert the vehicle unveiled today. "We're pleased that we have here a serious contribution towards the healthcare of children in Gaza," Caritas Secretary-General Alistair Dutton told a press conference in Bethlehem. Francis had used the vehicle, a converted Mitsubishi pick-up that was donated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014. Not clear when mobile clinic can enter Gaza The open platform at the back of the vehicle,…...

4+ week, 11+ hour ago (202+ words) HYDERABAD, Nov 1 " A stampede at a temple in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh killed at least nine people early today, government officials said, with several injured. The stampede occurred as worshippers crowded into the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in the city of Srikakulam on Ekadashi, a day Hindus consider auspicious, said Pawan Kalyan, the state's deputy chief minister. "An inquiry will be conducted into the tragic incident," Kalyan said in a statement, adding that the temple was run by private individuals. He put the death toll at nine. As many as 25,000 devotees crowded into the temple, which can accommodate only about 2,000, leading to the crush, state minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy added, while district officials have been told to provide the injured with medical help. A total of 18 injuries have been reported so far, the collector and magistrate of Srikakulam…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (270+ words) STRASBOURG, Nov 6 " Pope Leo XIV pressured a French bishop to step down over his "relationships with women, according to the Vatican, with the defrocked clergyman hitting yestetrday'back at the "disgusting situation. When announcing his resignation as the Bishop of Verdun in late September, Jean-Paul Gusching had hinted that health issues lay behind the decision to hang up his crosier. But the Holy See's embassy to France on Tuesday revealed that those were but "one element behind that decision, with a preliminary canonical investigation into his behaviour underway and the civil courts alerted to the matter. In an unusual intervention from the Apostolic Nunciature in Paris, the embassy said that after it had alerted the pontiff to the matter, Gusching committed "to avoid in future any behaviour towards women that could be interpreted as contrary to his holy vows. A day…...