Fast must be replaced —Sabah Mufti
KOTA KINABALU: Muslims who broke their fast after hearing the Maghrib azan (call to prayer) which was broadcast four minutes ahead of the actual time on the radio, will have to replace their fast after the month of Ramadan.
Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu Aziz Jaafar commended Radio Tawau’s effort to air the azan, however, he said they must be more careful to avoid the mistake of airing the call to prayer too early.
“Muslims must always be alert and cautious concerning the time for the breaking of the fast.
“In this regard, it is suggested that they refer to the calendar for breaking-the-fast issued by the authorities to ensure the incident is not repeated in future,” he said in a statement on Monday, adding that the time for breaking of fast is based on syarak (Islamic teachings) and not on the call of prayer broadcast on radio.
Sunday’s incident went viral on social media and netizens claimed some residents had mistakenly broken their fast based on the azan.
The Radio Tawau presenter, Mohd Safwan Junit, through his Facebook page had apologised and admitted his error.
He also explained that there was a technical error with the azan being aired twice, namely, at 6.16pm and 6.20pm.
“I, as the presenter on duty this evening for the ‘Syoknya Hujung Minggu segment was responsible for the technical error when the Maghrib azan was broadcast twice, the first at 6.16pm and the second at 6.20pm.
“The azan was supposed to be broadcast at 6.20pm and when it was played and heard much earlier, several Tawau residents had unintentionally broke their fast before time, “he said while offering his humble apologies to all those affected.
Meanwhile, the Sabah Broadcasting Department apologised to the public for the mistake of the radio station.
Its director, Zulkefli Mohd, said the department was aware of the importance of the call to prayer, especially on maghrib time during Ramadan as a guide for Muslims to break their fast.
However, he said the broadcast of the maghrib call four minutes earlier on Sunday was not intentional.
“The Sabah Broadcasting Department takes this matter seriously and will ensure the time of the call to prayer is given attention and priority because it involves the interests of Muslims in particular,” he said in a statement last night.
Muslims must always be alert and cautious concerning the time for the breaking of the fast.
Datuk Bungsu Aziz Jaafar