KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 — The content of Friday sermon texts in the country is always monitored by the Malaysia Islamic Developmet Department (Jakim), says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

“The texts are not prepared by any mosque at whim or as it likes,” he said after officially opening the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council’s Cataract Surgery Centre-Selayang Hospital today.

Jamil Khir said this in response to a report on a news portal (Roketkini.com) quoting DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang as saying that he regretted the Friday sermons of late which he claimed to be rousing religious sentiments.

The minister said anyone concerned should listen to the texts of the Friday sermons carefully instead of jumping to conclusion as this could cause misunderstanding.

“Don’t interpret the sermons as you like. Islam is a religion of peace and it wants its followers to be good to all people,” he added.

It is understood that Friday sermon texts delivered at mosques are prepared by Jakim or the respective state religious authorities. — Bernama