The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) the Taman Pelangi kariah chairman and the Seberang Perai Tengah Religious Administration officer to submit a full report on the incident of a group of individuals violating the standard operating procedure (SOP) at Surau Taman Pelangi, Juru, near here on Tuesday.
MAINPP president Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said he hoped that the incident would serve as a reminder to all, especially to mosque and surau committees in Penang, to take a serious view of SOP compliance to ensure the safety of all parties.
“Based on the chronology of the case, the surau committee had complied with the SOP set, namely only 100 people (consisting of locals and permanent residents) who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine are allowed to perform the Aidiladha prayers on that day.
“The surau committee chairman had also reminded the kariah members on the eve of Hari Raya and before performing the prayers to ensure that they comply with the SOP, and the emphasis was not to allow foreigners to join in the prayers on the day,” he said in a statement today.
However, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said some foreigners ignored the SOP and decided to join the prayers outside the surau compound, which was clearly beyond the control of the surau committee.
The surau committee had also locked the surau gates and did not allow anyone to enter the premises when the number of congregants had reached 100 just before the prayers started, he added.
He said the Taman Pelangi surau was allowed to hold the Aidiladha prayers with a congregation of up to 100 people because the Taman Pelangi Kariah Mosque was still under construction.
The Penang Deputy Chief Minister I also thanked the police for the swift follow-up enforcement action in identifying and detaining individuals who violated the SOP as it is in line with the state government’s stance in addressing the SOP non-compliance issue.
However, he hoped that the police could use their discretion in handling the case after members of the public expressed displeasure over images of the individuals involved being handcuffed without wearing shoes.
Last Tuesday, police launched an investigation into a viral video showing hundreds of individuals performing the Aidiladha prayers in open areas at Surau Taman Pelangi.
Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said they were also tracking down all congregants involved to assist in the probe.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency