PETALING JAYA: The Bon Odori festival should be looked at as a celebration of diversity, says former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak.
In a Facebook post today, Salleh said he supported the call by Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for the state Islamic religious department (Jais) to allow the festival, scheduled to be held at Shah Alam on July 16, to proceed.
“We should look at this cultural programme from a different angle – its positive impact on society,” he said.
“The decision to restrict or prohibit Muslim participation should not be made in a hurry. Let us celebrate diversity and not make reckless decisions.”
PETALING JAYA: The Penang mufti now says Muslims are not barred from taking part in cultural events like the Bon Odori festival, seemingly backtracking on his earlier stance over the Japanese festival.
Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, however, said Muslims should avoid such events if there were religious elements, including worshipping the spirits of ancestors.
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