4+ day, 6+ hour ago (285+ words) SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department's Islamic Marriage Management System 2.0 can complete most marriage registration applications in just one hour. The department's director, Mohd Asri Abdullah, said the system, developed by Islamic Development Department (Jakim), in collaboration with the state department, allows applicants to submit forms, upload supporting documents and make payments without visiting the office. "The previous method was largely manual. Through the system, the office can verify and approve applications online. Applicants only need to visit the office to collect official marriage, divorce and ruju' documents at a scheduled time," he told Bernama on Friday (Nov 28). Mohd Asri said the initiative has boosted productivity, reduced bureaucracy and provided a more convenient experience for the public. "Counter waiting times have dropped from two hours to just one hour," he added. The system also provides real-time records of staff…...

4+ week, 1+ hour ago (486+ words) Wednesday, 05 Nov 2025 PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) confirmed that Sekolah Rendah Islam al-Afsari in Saujana Putra, Puchong, is unregistered and operating without authorisation, leaving 80 pupils unable to sit for the 2025 Ujian Penilaian al-Quran dan Fardhu Ain (UPKK). Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the matter was confirmed following cross-checks and discussions with the Islamic Education Division of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), which serves as the implementing agency for Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA) classes in Selangor. He said the pupils concerned were not registered as candidates for the 2025 UPKK through the official registration system, the Islamic Education Information System (SIMPENI), despite the school having submitted an appeal letter on Oct 15. "The school does not meet the registration criteria for private Islamic religious schools in Selangor as stipulated under the Control of Islamic Religious Schools…...

5+ day, 4+ hour ago (242+ words) KUALA LUMPUR: All mosques and Friday surau under the purview of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) have been asked to hold Solat Hajat (prayer of need) after Friday prayers on Nov 8. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the solat hajat is intended to seek Allah SWT's protection so that the country and its people are spared from disasters, including floods, storms, property damage and other trials affecting the community. "May this serve as a platform for us to pray for the ease of all matters involving our security forces, government agencies, and volunteers who are working tirelessly to assist the affected victims. "May the community be granted strength, patience and sustained protection," he said. "May Allah SWT, through our prayers and efforts,…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (194+ words) Tuesday, 11 Nov 2025 VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Lights, camera, action, pope? About three dozen Hollywood stars will meet Pope Leo this weekend, including actors Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine and Adam Scott, the Vatican said on Monday. Also joining a special audience at the Vatican with Leo, the first pope from the United States, will be Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant. Papal events often feature high-ranking Catholic cardinals but rarely include Hollywood stars. The late Pope Francis, however, hosted an event at the Vatican in June 2024 for comedians, including U.S. late night hosts Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. Among others set to take part in Saturday's event with Leo are actors Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Viggo Mortensen and directors Joanna Hogg, Tony Kaye and Julie Taymor. Ahead of the new event, the Vatican shared four of…...

1+ week, 22+ hour ago (333+ words) PNB deputy president and group chief executive Datuk Rick Ramli KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) will launch zakat assessment for Fixed Price Funds managed by Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) through the al-Mustaghallat'zakat method'via Khultah'(collective) in mid-2026." PNB deputy president and group chief executive Datuk Rick Ramli has targeted'the participation of more than 30 per cent of Muslim unitholders in the first year of implementing the method, with an estimated zakat collection of'RM60 million. This follows the announcement by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia'on Sept 4, 2025, which approved the zakat al-Mustaghallat method via khultah.' "In line with this, ASNB plans to introduce a mechanism that will allow unitholders to choose whether to receive full income distribution or net income after zakat. Rick said the advantage of this method is that zakat payment does not…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (443+ words) KUALA LUMPUR: Half of all pilgrims selected for haj this year have declined the offer to perform the pilgrimage citing financial difficulties, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar." The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said of the 9.7 million depositors, 53% of Tabung Haji (TH) savers have less than RM1,300 in their accounts." "At present, 53% of TH's 9.7 million depositors have savings of less than RM1,300, which is insufficient to perform the haj. Meanwhile, 50% of pilgrims selected for the 2025 haj season have rejected their haj offer due to financial constraints. "Taking all these factors into account, and based on detailed data and trend analysis that has been conducted, TH must take strategic steps through this initiative to ensure it remains relevant." "This is critical, especially to encourage more Muslims to save consistently to perform the haj," he said in a written parliamentary…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (1048+ words) Sunday, 16 Nov 2025 SEOUL: A young Buddhist nun, Catholic priest and Protestant pastor recently appeared on tvN's popular variety show "You Quiz on the Block." Between laughter, filming social media challenges and dancing to the viral "KPop Demon Hunters" song "Soda Pop," they spoke about how hard it is to avoid K-pop. Their cheerful appearance contrasted sharply with an earlier episode, in which senior clerics discussed doctrine and inter-religious dialogue in hushed tones. More young South Koreans are identifying as atheist or unaffiliated, prompting religious groups to reinvent themselves: from virtual Buddhist monks and K-pop-inspired rituals to churches that blend in with Seoul's nightlife. According to a 2024 survey by Hankook Research, 69 per cent of South Koreans in their 20s said they have no religious affiliation, the highest rate among any generation. Faced with shrinking congregations, many faith communities are racing to prove…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (111+ words) Thursday, 06 Nov 2025 KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur (KL) Police have uncovered an attempt to sabotage the Selawat and Munajat Perdana programme, scheduled for Friday evening (Nov 7) at the Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque in Presint Merdeka 118. In a statement on Thursday (Nov 6), KL Police said irresponsible individuals had circulated fake emails to invited guests, falsely claiming the event had been cancelled. "The KL Police's Selawat and Munajat Perdana 1447H/2025M programme has not been cancelled and will proceed as scheduled," the statement read. KL Police also invited the public to attend and enliven the event, which will also be streamed live on its official Facebook page. " Bernama...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (352+ words) Thursday, 13 Nov 2025 CHISINAU (Reuters) -A new dispute underscored the split in Moldova's Orthodox faith on Wednesday as the ex-Soviet state's largest church rejected any notion that it was a "Russian church" while a rival church linked to Romania accused it of mass deception. More than 90% of Moldovans adhere to Orthodox Christianity in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania. But parishioners are divided between two churches -- the Moldova Metropolis, subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which reports to the Romanian church. Neither has full independence. MOLDOVA CHURCH SAYS IT IS 'FREE AND INDEPENDENT' The split has been accentuated by the Russian Orthodox Church's support for Moscow's war in Ukraine, which has buffeted Moldova, with drones repeatedly landing on its territory. Moldova's pro-European government denounces the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbour. The Moldova Metropolis, in a…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (438+ words) KUALA LUMPUR: Anyone who breaches ethical or moral standards when preaching Islamic teachings will not have their tauliah (accreditation) renewed and may also be subject to action, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the authorities, including the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim), are concerned about speakers who may have abused their roles. "We are reviewing the ecosystem and accreditation requirements to ensure that only those who are genuinely knowledgeable and deliver their teachings with sincerity are approved," he said during the oral question and answer session on Wednesday (Nov 19). Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) wanted to know the measures taken by the authorities against preachers or speakers who abuse their roles by spreading false narratives that touch on the 3Rs of race, religion and royalty. On a similar matter,…...