The prime minister said the fatwa issued last March made it clear that non-Muslims must get permission from the mosque and be appropriately attired before entering a mosque.
Citing the fatwa, Najib said that non-Muslim tourists may enter mosques and prayer rooms with the condition that they receive permission from the respective management and ensure that their actions do not violate the sanctity of the mosque.
Teo had entered the prayer with her hair uncovered. Women are required to cover their hair when entering a mosque.
“This guideline is what they must adhere to before entering a mosque,” said Najib in his speech at a breaking of fast event here.
The Selangor Umno chief also claimed that Teo committed another offence by delivering a tazkirah (sermon) during her visit.
“Only Muslims are allowed to deliver tazkirah in mosques or surau. If a non-Muslim enters a mosque and start giving tazkirah to the Muslims, that is against the teachings of the Prophet,” said Najib citing the Prophet’s tradition to back his claim.
He added that the Sultan of Selangor and the state Islamic administration enactment also forbid the non-Muslims from entering the main prayer hall.
Teo’s visit to the surau drew Umno’s ire as well as Malay rights pressure group Perkasa’s, with the latter calling for a ban on non-Muslims from entering mosques and suraus. The state Islamic council, Mais also claimed that the visit displeased the Selangor Sultan.
Pakatan Rakyat leaders including PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat have come out in Teo’s defence.
Teo had been warned by Mais not to repeat her action and she has apologised to the Sultan of Selangor.
Teo had also denied delivering a sermon in the surau adding that she was only sharing about the state’s education assistance initiative.
The first term MP had expressed dismay that her visit has been turned into a controversy and blamed Umno and Malay daily, Utusan Malaysia for politicising the issue.
