COMMENT | Attention has been riveted on the introduction of a Mufti Bill in the Federal Territories, which had its first reading in July and is expected to have its additional readings in the coming weeks.

The bill brings to the fore the divisive issue of religious governance and raises questions about the Madani government’s commitment to democratic reform.

The bill is projected to bring about “religious integrity” and touted to even reduce religious extremism. Yet it remains unclear how it will do this. By adding an additional layer of bureaucracy through the elevation of a mufti in the Federal Territories and giving the power for their fatwa to become laws...