No Syariah Provision Against Muslims Visiting Entertainment Centres

From Bernama comes this happy piece of news.

There is no provision in the Syariah enactment enforced in the states which penalises Muslims for visiting entertainment centres, the Dewan Negara was told Thursday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin said this was because the Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) power to act against Muslims who patronised the premises was restricted.

"The main problem faced by Jakim in enforcing (the law on) the offence rested on the power to codify and enforce the Syariah law which comes under the jurisdiction of the states," he said.

He was replying to Senator Sharifah Azizah Syed Zin who asked Jakim to spell out its power in enforcing Islamic laws against Muslims who visited entertainment outlets.

In reply to Senator Datuk Ismail Kassim, Dr Abdullah said Jakim was monitoring the enforcement of the enactment in the states and Federal Territories.

Dr Abdullah said besides enforcing the law, Jakim preferred to tackle the problem by instilling self-awareness among Muslims on Islamic teachings.

"We know there are states which strictly enforced the enactment, (but) if they are not followed up with education on Islamic teachings it won't be effective.
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