IT is up to state governments to decide whether to allow or disallow the organising of the “Jom Ziarah” programme of visits to houses of worship, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said.

He said he would respect the stand taken by state governments on the 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 that allow it,” he told reporters at the Federal Territory-level National Icon Townhall in Kuala Lumpur 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 has prohibited the programme in the state.

The Jom Ziarah programme is an initiative under Project Article 11 by Impact Malaysia, a civil society organisation under the Youth and Sports Ministry. – Bernama, March 18, 2023.