Siti Nurhaliza denies SOP breach at tahnik ceremony
4 May – Siti Nurhaliza and husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa have recently released a statement following the controversy surrounding a religious event for newborn son Muhammad Afwa.
In the press statement released on social media on 3 May, Siti stated that no cross-state activity had taken place, after one of the celebrity preachers that was seen at the event was accused of travelling from outside the state to make an appearance.
"The individual agreed to attend because he happened to be in Kuala Lumpur on the date of the ceremony," it stated.
Siti also stressed that the tahnik ceremony was organised in accordance to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the government, and was divided into three sessions with a limited number of guests that include immediate family members.
"Regarding the afternoon tahnik event attended by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, it was not a special ceremony as alleged. Instead, he only stopped to complete the recitation of prayers and tahnik before having to rush home for other matters," she added.
The singer stated that she and her family have never taken lightly the standards set by the government and that they have tried to comply with it as much as possible. She also hopes that the explanation would help clarify the situation and not cause more misunderstanding.
"We understand and are open-minded with every reprimand given. We are also ready to give full cooperation to the authorities if needed. This is the last statement from us on this issue. I would like to focus on my confinement after giving birth to Muhammad Afwa and hope that this matter can be resolved and understood well," she added.
Siti previously sparked a backlash after sharing photos from the tahnik ceremony - a Prophetic tradition in which the newborn baby's lips are touched with honey, sweet juice or pressed dates to help with the circulation of blood in the mouth - that was attended by several famous religious icons including Ustaz Don Daniyal and Ustaz Azhar Idrus.
Many questioned the singer for holding such an event during the pandemic and inviting one of the preachers who is known to be residing in Terengganu.
(Photo Source: Siti Nurhaliza Instagram)
