SEPANG: Maqasid syariah or objectives of syariah are the guiding principles behind many of the government’s efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Prime Minister.
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Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although it was not turned into slogans, the principles which called for the protection of religion, lives, mind, property and generation were the basis of the administration’s initiatives.
“To protect lives, which is one of the principles of maqasid syariah, the government has enforced several phases of the movement control order (MCO).
“As government, it is our duty to to curb the spread of the dangerous virus, and that was why we enforced the MCO,” he said at the launch of the Nusantara syariah legal and judiciary conference on Tuesday (Sept 29).
Muhyiddin pointed out that maqasid syariah had always been the guiding principles of the country’s administrations to ensure the well-being of all Malaysians.
Another principle — protecting the religion — was discussed throughout the MCO, which, he said, had created a new norm in the lives of Muslims.
“In the early stages, we had to close mosques for prayers to avoid Covid-19 infections.
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“Now, we have allowed congregational prayers but it comes with strict standard operating procedure in place.
“Here, you can see how we uphold maqasid syariah which is to protect lives and religion,” the Prime Minister said.
Muhyiddin said the government was committed to efforts to strengthen the syariah judiciary and legal system in the country.
This included improving the jurisdiction of the courts, appointment of more judges and court officials, he said.
“I am aware that the duty and responsibility that syariah judges and officers have to shoulder is heavy.
“I hope they will exercise patience, be sincere and uphold high integrity in carrying out their duties,” he said.
Also present at the conference were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Zulkifli Al-Bakri and director-general of the Syariah Judiciary Department Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. -The Star