This comes about three weeks after the five-member Council of Eminent Persons met separately with scholars, activists and muftis, as part of its feedback gathering process to hear views on the future of the administration of Islam.

It is believed that the council has tasked a state mufti with coordinating the efforts, and has also suggested several names to be included in the process.

A source said members of the team come from a cross-section of Muslim activists who have in the past clashed with each other over several issues.

“Their coming together would be interesting to watch,” the source added.

It is understood that one of them was a vocal critic of Islamic bureaucrats during the previous administration.

Over the years, Muslim leaders have questioned state Islamic authorities as well as the federal-controlled Department of Islamic Development or Jakim, over what is perceived as their penchant for imposing a more rigid form of Islam in the country.

Influential government religious officers have also been blamed for a spate of controversial religious rulings as well as the banning of hundreds of books over the years on the topic of Islam.

Jakim has also come under the microscope, with leaders in both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan calling for its dismantling, saying its powers are against the constitutional provision that matters of Islam come under the purview of state rulers.

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Next, Putrajaya council to meet conservative and liberal Muslims