SHAH ALAM, Oct 7 — The withdrawal of the accreditation to teach Islam from Ustaz Abdullah Khairi was based on a decision by the Accreditation Committee of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) in line with a decree by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
In a statement, Mais chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said His Royal Highness’ decree was to withdraw the accreditation to teach Islam given to political activists.
He said the action was done following the Accreditation Regulations (Selangor) 2008, and those affected were allowed to appeal to Mais.
“Mais calls on all parties not to politicise the issue of the withdrawal of the accreditation to teach Islam and to respect the decree by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, who does not consent to the issuing of the accreditation to teach Islam to any political activist.
“This is because it is feared that it can be misused for the benefit of any political party, which will eventually lead to slander, misunderstanding and rift among Muslims in Selangor, as well as tarnish Islam,” Abdul Aziz said.
Based on prior media reports, Mais had withdrawn the accreditation to teach Islam that was issued to Ustaz Abdullah Khairi, with effect from September 27 onwards. The preacher had shared the matter on his social media on October 5.
In another development, Abdul Aziz said he respected the decision of the Shah Alam High Court, made on October 5, in revoking the withdrawal of the accreditation to teach Islam issued to Ustaz Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani by Mais.
The decision of the Shah Alam High Court was based on non-compliance with the procedure during the accreditation withdrawal process.
“The decision of the Shah Alam High Court did not at all touch and also question the withdrawal of the accreditation upon the decree by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, who does not consent to the issuing of the accreditation to teach Islam to any political activist.
“Therefore, the decree by His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor is still in force in the state of Selangor,” he said.
Abdul Aziz insisted the decision by Mais to withdraw the accreditation issued to Ahmad Dusuki was made by the order of the Sultan of Selangor based on information about his active status in a political party, including the security screening by the Royal Malaysia Police.
“Mais decided not to file an appeal against the decision of the Shah Alam High Court on the grounds, among others, that the appeal will be purely academic because Ustaz Ahmad Dusuki’s accreditation expired on June 30,” he said.
— Bernama
