All public and private surau must observe proper 'kiblat' direction

JOHOR BARU: The state Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ) will check public and private premises to ensure their prayer rooms or surau have the proper direction of the kiblat.

Its adviser Datuk Noh Gadut said that besides hotels and resorts, the check would cover educational institutions, factories, National Service camps, shopping complexes and even home-stay premises.

This, he said, was necessary to ensure Muslims were given a dedicated place to perform their prayers.

Urging owners and operators to consult with the department’s district kadi offices on guidelines to determine the right direction of the kiblat, he said: “We do not impose any fee for this service and we will issue a certificate verifying that the premises is kiblat-compliant.”

He said at present, all surau at the rest and recreation areas along highways in Johor had been certified by the department.

It was reported that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Iskandar had decreed that JAIJ issue a circular to district kadi, district officers and local council presidents to check the direction of kiblat at all hotels and resorts in their areas.

“We also plan to extend the kiblat direction service to cover private residential areas. We welcome home owners to approach us,” said Noh.

He described the incident in which a resort operator in Tanjung Sedili Besar had allowed a group of Buddhists to meditate in a surau as a “blessing in disguise” because it taught Muslims not to take sensitive issues involving Islam lightly.

Noh also advised Muslims to remain calm following the incident as well as for bloggers and netizens to refrain from commenting on it.

The resort owner, a 45-year-old Singaporean with Malaysian permanent resident status, is in remand until tomorrow.

The case is being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Hotels Johor Chapter chairman Tengku Ahmad Faizal Tengku Mohamed said hotel rooms at its members’ premises complied with the department’s guideline on the kiblat direction.