Kelantan: The Kelantan government will continue to preserve and strengthen the state's arts and cultural heritage as long as such practices are in line with Islamic principles, making them an important component of the state's identity and tourism development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud stated that the state government has never rejected arts and culture that have been passed down from generation to generation. Instead, it seeks to refine them so that they develop within the bounds of values, decorum, and morals prescribed by Islam. This principle is based on the fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) method, which permits customary practices unless evidence prohibits them.
"Our culture, from an Islamic perspective, is not without limits, but develops within the framework of noble values, decorum, and morality," he said. This principle has long guided the Kelantan state government in managing, assessing, and preserving cultural heritage. The government does not reject arts or culture due to their traditional roots but strives to refine and preserve them to ensure they flourish in line with Islamic principles. Mohd Nassuruddin made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the Kelantan Arts Festival (FKRK) 2026.
He further explained that some traditional performances were previously not allowed as they contained elements contradicting Islamic principles. However, the state government now has no objection to allowing these performances once the conflicting elements are refined and removed.
Kelantan is known as "Serambi Mekah" and is also recognized for its rich Malay cultural heritage, with both identities complementing each other. The development of Islam in Kelantan has long nurtured knowledge, arts, language, and culture rooted in Islamic values.
Mohd Nassuruddin emphasized that Kelantan's cultural heritage, including performing arts, traditional games, craftsmanship, handicrafts, and traditional food, are valuable treasures reflecting the wisdom and philosophy of the Malay community. These elements should be preserved for future generations.
He noted that the organization of FKRK 2026 carried greater significance beyond being an entertainment or tourism event. It served as a platform that brought together heritage and arts practitioners, facilitated knowledge sharing, stimulated the economy, and introduced Kelantan's uniqueness to visitors. He also praised efforts to revive traditional games like gasing uri, congkak, dam aji, and tating, describing them as capable of balancing the influence of technology on the lifestyle of the younger generation.
FKRK 2026, which ran for four days and concluded today, is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) Kelantan.