Its director-general Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim said Islam should not be seen as a harsh and punitive religion, but one that brought blessings for all.

“Those who have slipped from the religious path should be approached, advised and guided, while enforcement should be made the last resort,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on the prevention of shariah crime here yesterday.

The seminar was attended by 650 participants from the state Islamic religious department, state shariah prosecutors office, shariah judicial department, NGOs and university students.

Mohamad Nordin said during a recent meeting with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister had spoken of the need for Jakim to promote Islam as a religion of progress and development that benefited all quarters.

He said Islamic religious agencies and implementors should enhance the humanistic qualities of society by going to the ground to meet and guide those in need of moral support.