PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government will consult the relevant authorities on the status of the Bon Odori festival which was claimed to have religious elements.

       Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (pic) said the state government has never received any advice and views on the matter, adding that it had always considered the festival as a cultural event.

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       He added the event was held in the spirit of “looking east” as well as strengthening ties between companies and people with ties to Japan.

       “I believe this is the same as other festivals, for example, Ponggal.

       "I am not sure (Bon Odori here) has a religious element.

       “We will get detailed information from the relevant parties and if it is true (there is a religious connection), we have to comply," he said at the launch of the Selangor Public Health Advisory Council on Monday (June 6).

       He was commenting on a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad who advised Muslims not to participate in any religious activities that have nothing to do with Islam, including the Bon Odori festival, which will take place in Shah Alam on July 17.

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       Amirudin said the actual information regarding Bon Odori needed to be confirmed, including feedback from the Japanese Embassy because the issue was first raised through information from Wikipedia a few days ago.

       "All programmes have prayer activities. There are prayers conducted during the Eid ceremony... wouldn't that be considered a religious ceremony?” he asked.

       Idris had advised Muslims not to participate in the Bon Odori festival, saying that a study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) found that the festival had religious elements.