Jawi Ordered to Probe Alleged Misuse of Quranic Verse at Parade in Kuala Lumpur
PUTRAJAYA — The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) has been instructed to investigate the alleged misuse of a Quranic verse displayed on a banner during a recent parade held in the capital city.
The directive was issued after images of the banner, which reportedly contained a mistranslated verse from the Holy Quran, went viral on social media and sparked widespread criticism.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said Jawi has been tasked with taking appropriate action under the law to examine the matter thoroughly.
He said the use of Quranic verses in a context that distorts their original meaning is unacceptable and deeply offensive to Muslims.
According to Zulkifli, the banner appeared to present a translation of a Quranic verse that diverged significantly from its true context and interpretation.
He stressed that such actions not only hurt the feelings of the Muslim community but also undermine the sanctity of the Quran as the central religious text of Islam.
The minister noted that the issue is particularly sensitive as it occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims are especially mindful of religious values and practices.
Zulkifli also urged the public to approach the Quran through its long-established scholarly tradition rather than interpreting its verses based on personal opinions or agendas.
He emphasised that the interpretation of Quranic verses should be guided by recognised Islamic scholarship to ensure that their meanings are preserved accurately.
Arbitrary or selective interpretations, he warned, could lead to misunderstandings and may be used to justify practices that contradict Islamic teachings.
Earlier, images of the banner began circulating widely on social media after it was reportedly displayed during a parade in Kuala Lumpur.
The banner drew criticism from many who claimed that the translation of the Quranic verse had been altered in a way that changed its intended meaning.
Some critics argued that the message appeared to distort the original context of the verse in order to support a cultural agenda that they considered inconsistent with Islamic values.
Following the controversy, religious authorities have begun examining the matter to determine whether any laws related to the misuse of religious texts have been violated.
Jawi is expected to investigate various aspects of the incident, including identifying the parties responsible for producing and displaying the banner during the event.
The investigation aims to ensure that the sanctity of the Quran is upheld and that its verses are not misused or misrepresented for purposes that contradict Islamic teachings.
-wilayah.com.my
