THE G25 commends the recent media statement by the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) who emphasised the need to protect religious freedom, in line with the Federal Constitution, after the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) arrested 50 Shiite Muslims over the observation of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram.

The subject of contention is that Sunnis and Shiite Muslims observe Ashura differently. On this day, Sunni Muslims in Malaysia commemorate Prophet Musa when God drowned the Pharaoh and his people while rescuing Musa and his people from the oppression of the Pharaoh. Muslims are encouraged to fast on the 9th and 10th day of Muharram, according to the tradition propagated by Prophet Muhammad.