Strive to master latest tech, Muslim grassroots educators advised

KUCHING (Aug 12): All Muslim grassroots educators should strive to master the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), said Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

The Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said this includes the ‘imam’ (head of a local Muslim congregation), the ‘takmir’ (manager of any surau, mosque or centre meant for the Muslim community), the Quran and Fardu Ain Class (Kafa) teachers, and the ‘murabbi’ (counsellors).

According to him, this call aligns with the aspirations of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who wants Muslims in the state to emerge as progressive leaders.

“Muslims need to demonstrate their capability to lead in line with the current developments, as (what) the Premier hopes for the ‘iman’, the ‘murabbi’, the ‘takmir’, and also the Kafa teachers in Sarawak.

“This is one of the reasons why I, as a minister, am participating in this tour, where we can observe how the state leaders’ approaches are being conveyed to these religious scholars,” the federal minister told reporters when met after the launch of the state-level ‘Program Jelajah Madani Ulama dan Umara’ at Wisma Sabati, here yesterday.

At the event, three individuals were accorded the ‘Tokoh Mithali’ (Outstanding Figure) honours, with each receiving RM1,000 and a certificate.

They are Jammie Andrew who is ‘Tokoh Mithali: Imam’; Ibrahim Hermanto Jepon who is ‘Tokoh Mithali: Guru Takmir’; and Awang Suhaini Awang Omar who is ‘Tokoh Mithali: Guru Kafa’.

The ‘Jelajah Madani Ulama dan Umara’ programme is part of the Al-Falah Transformation Plan (PTF) 2023-2027, aimed at strengthening the management and operations of mosques, enhancing religious education, and addressing the current issues affecting Muslims in the country.

On a separate matter, Mohd Na’im said no reports have been received regarding the presence of the Millah Abraham deviant movement in Sarawak.

He said that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is working closely with the Islamic Affairs Department and Mufti offices in every state in monitoring the situation.

“My ministry will also cooperate with the PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) in identifying the methods used to spread this Millah Abraham deviant movement, whether online or physically. But so far, I have not received any reports about this.

“InsyaAllah, should there be any new developments, I will inform,” he said,

Adding on, Mohd Na’im said several states including Perak, Johor and Negeri Sembilan had already gazetted the teachings of Millah Abraham under the category of ‘deviant teaching’.

The Millah Abraham movement have been frequently discussed following reports of its presence in some states, such as Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

Among the deviant beliefs preached by this movement are that the slaughtering of animals by non-members is deemed invalid, recognising the existence of a new prophet, having a different ‘shahadah’ (profession of faith in Islam), and interpreting the teachings in the Quran without referring to the guidelines in validly-established ‘tafsir’ (interpretation) books.

The movement also attempts to combine three religions: Judaism, ‘Nasrani’ (Christianity), and Islam.