BALING: The Muslim community here has been asked to perform solat hajat (special prayers) to seek safety and security following ten fire incidents reported in the district.
State Islamic Religious Department Director Datuk Abd Ghani Zainudin said that this is a way to seek Allah's guidance and support, especially during challenging times, and encouraged those affected to partake in the prayers.
"Yes, there is a letter of instruction from the district religious officer inviting the public to pray to God to do good things and not to do wrong that could disrupt public order.
"As long as it does not touch the sensitivity of any party, I think there is no problem in applying for the common good," he said when contacted today.
He was commenting on an official letter from the Baling Islamic Affairs Office that went viral, which directed mosques in the area to hold a special prayer following the fires that involved 10 homes.
Abd Ghani said the fires were deeply concerning as they may involve elements of sabotage and crime.
"So, the Baling Islamic Affairs Office has instructed the mosques in the district to organise a congregational solat hajat, as stated in the letter dated Jan 5," he said.
The letter, signed by the Baling Islamic Affairs officer, Hakimin Hassan, called for the solat hajat to be held after the Friday prayers on Jan 10.
Previously, it was reported that residents in the Kupang state legislative assembly area were worried about the mystery of consecutive fires that were believed to have occurred at six different locations since the end of last month.
Most of the fires involved motorcycles parked in front of the victims' homes, with some incidents spreading to cars and houses.