Selangor: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has not granted consent for surau and musolla in shopping malls across the state to hold Friday prayers for now, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAIS chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin stated the decision was based on concerns that allowing surau or musolla in shopping malls to conduct Friday prayers would undermine efforts to preserve and strengthen the role of mosques as the primary centres of worship for Muslims. He noted that such a move could lead to a decline in the number of congregants at existing mosques and surau authorised to hold Friday prayers, as Muslims would have the option to perform the prayers at surau or musolla in shopping malls.

Salehuddin highlighted that there are currently 448 mosques and 379 surau in Selangor authorised to conduct Friday prayers, indicating that the existing facilities are sufficient to accommodate the state's Muslim population. He also mentioned the presence of mosques and surau near shopping malls, which makes it convenient for the public to perform Friday prayers.

He further explained that the Sultan of Selangor's decree aligns with Islamic teachings and promotes Islamic values by reinforcing the role of mosques as the primary places of worship for Muslims while also serving as centres for religious education and dakwah. On the issue of permitting surau or musolla in shopping malls to hold Friday prayers, Salehuddin mentioned that MAIS must consider the appointment of imams, bilals, and other personnel, as well as the management and governance of such facilities, to ensure compliance with all regulations and policies set by the council.

Salehuddin also noted that although one surau in a shopping mall in Selangor has been granted permission to hold Friday prayers, the approval is temporary due to the absence of a nearby mosque. He stated that the temporary approval would be withdrawn if a mosque is built near the shopping mall in the future and can accommodate the local Muslim community for Friday prayers.

Salehuddin called on all Muslims in Selangor to continue supporting mosques and surau so that these institutions can serve as centres of unity for the Muslim community. Meanwhile, he acknowledged the federal government's position, as expressed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, concerning the proposal to establish surau authorised to conduct Friday prayers in shopping malls nationwide.

MAIS emphasised that matters related to mosques, surau, and musolla fall under the jurisdiction of the states, according to the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. In Selangor, the Sultan of Selangor, as the Head of the Islamic Religion, has the prerogative to make decisions on the administration of Islamic affairs, including granting approval for surau or musolla to conduct Friday prayers. Salehuddin added that the establishment of mosques and surau, as well as the use of any building as a mosque, surau, or musolla, is subject to the prior written approval of MAIS under Section 97 of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003.