Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department (Jakim) held a tabayyun, or fact-clarification, meeting with Marhamah Rosli, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs. The meeting followed allegations linking her to the spread of shamanic practices, witchcraft, talismans and the New Age Movement (NAM). The report presents these as allegations, not established findings.
Jakim Director-General Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the discussion also involved the Mufti of the Federal Territories, Jakim’s Panel of Akidah Experts and other relevant parties. He said the issue was reviewed through the framework of Islamic creed, religious authority and the background of NAM. Sirajuddin said content or approaches that could cause confusion about belief should be corrected, and that religious material should be grounded in Islamic scholarship and the views of authoritative bodies. He said the matter was receiving serious and thorough consideration.
Rosli had previously denied the accusations and gave those who published or circulated them 24 hours to retract the material, stop sharing it, issue a public apology and publish a correction. Sirajuddin said Jakim was also taking account of questions raised by members of the public, including on a Facebook page under the name Masyitah Ashari.
Jakim reiterated its opposition to teachings and practices it considers contrary to Islamic law and creed, while urging the public not to reach conclusions from unverified or out-of-context material. The department said it would continue its role in safeguarding Islamic belief through knowledge and recognized religious authorities.