Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad has advised Muslims not to attend or participate in the Japanese folk festival Bon Odori that will be held in Shah Alam at the Shah Alam Sports Complex next month on July 16.
“A study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) found that the festival does have religious elements, so we advise Muslims not to participate in it,” Bernama quoted him as saying after attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Selangor Islamic Education Foundation’s (Yapis) Education Complex Project here today.
According to the national media, the annual Japanese festival has recently received sever backlash on social media from Muslims in Malaysia for posting a promotional banner ad with the picture of a kimono-clad woman wearing a hijab.
“That’s why we hope such confusion does not arise. Jakim as the coordinating party (of Islam in the country) advises Muslims not to participate in programmes like this or any programme that could affect our religion and beliefs,” Datuk Idris said.
