KUCHING, July 24: Muslims across Sarawak are allowed to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha which will be held on July 31 subject to the standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines set by the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS).
Although the number of positive Covid-19 cases in Sarawak is still recorded in the past one week, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the current circular issued by State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) would be used.
“At the moment, there are no official changes to the circular in terms of gathering at public places. Until we receive a new one, we will continue to use the current notice.
“The Muslim community can proceed with the celebration as usual, but they must adhere to the guidelines set by MIS such as social distancing and any mosque or surau keen to carry out the sacrificial worship must obtain livestock slaughter permits from the State Department of Veterinary Services,” Dr Abdul Rahman told reporters after the launch of Sarawak Islamic Services (KISWA) App today.
The other guidelines issued by MIS is that mosques or surau must also set up an organising committee and register with the divisions’ Islamic religious offices for the same purposes.
“They must also adhere to the guidelines on number of participants who will handle the sacrificial worship to distribution team and recipients,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Rahman lauded Islamic Religious Department Sarawak (JAIS) for the effort of creating KISWA App as a ‘one stop information centre’ for Muslims.
Stressing on the way forward to enhance and develop the state, he said Sarawak must embrace digital technology or else the state will be left behind as compared to others in Peninsular Malaysia.
“This is why our chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg insists on moving towards the digital era. All these years, Sarawak was moving one step at a time until we became slightly backwards in terms of development,” he said. -DayakDaily
