Kuala Lumpur: The institution of marriage and family must be respected and protected without exposing a spouse’s faults in public or on social media, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. He emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts privately to preserve the dignity and harmony of the household, advising that matters involving religious rulings should be referred to the relevant authorities to ensure accuracy and prevent public misinformation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zulkifli spoke to reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Panglima Gayong Cross-Cultural Gathering with Pendekar Kelantan-Kedah at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Kubor (1). He highlighted that the government has introduced initiatives to strengthen the Islamic family institution, such as pre- and post-marriage courses. He noted that while post-marriage courses are voluntary, they have been well-received due to the inclusion of expert views in their modules and syllabus.

Dr Zulkifli stated that beyond enforcing laws to address family-related issues, it is crucial to equip the public with knowledge and guidance to manage their families effectively. His comments also addressed the concerning trend of couples using social media to announce divorces publicly, either directly or indirectly.

On a separate note, Dr Zulkifli advised against purchasing smuggled cattle for sacrificial rituals during Hari Raya Aidiladha. He stressed that the qurban ritual should be conducted lawfully and respectfully to ensure the sacrifice is accepted by Allah.