KUALA LUMPUR, It is up to state governments to decide whether to allow or disallow the organising of the ‘Jom Ziarah Gereja’ programme, said Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said he would respect the stand taken by state governments on this matter.

“There is a disagreement, a difference of opinion. I respect the decision at the state level.

“There are states that prohibit the programme and there are those which allow it,” he told reporters at the Federal Territory-level National Icon Townhall here today.

Earlier, the media reported that Penang does not prohibit any party from organising a programme that invites Muslims to visit non-Muslim houses of worship in the state to understand other religions as long as it does not violate existing laws.

Unlike Penang, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has prohibited the programme in the state.

The ‘Jom Ziarah Gereja’ programme is an initiative under ‘Project Article 11’ by Impact Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation under the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency