SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- All ulama and mufti must obtain the permission of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) before they can give religious talks or sermons in the state.

Jais director Datuk Muhammed Khusrin Munawi said he would not compromise in this matter as "the ruling is stipulated in the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment 2003".

He said everyone, including mufti and ulama, must obtain prior permission from Jais and inform it about the subject matter or knowledge they wished to impart to their audience.

"There is exemption on the conditions for certification for certain individuals to deliver talks or sermons in Selangor, but they too need prior permission from Jais.

"I don't see any problem with this procedure. For example, Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria had before sought Jais' permission to give a talk in Selangor. In simple language...if you want to enter someone's home, you need to give salam, there must be courtesy and respect for the host and not simply enter the house," he told reporters when met at the state assembly here today.

On the exemption, Muhammed Khusrin said it was only given to certain individuals such as ulama, state mufti, fatwa committee, syariah court judges and registrars, and the minister or exco member in charge of Islamic religious affairs.

"However, they too are required to give a written notice and get Jais' permission to deliver a religious talk or sermon.

"Freelance speakers do not get such exemption and must obtain authorisation from Jais to give religious talks," he said.