Naim, who is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said he would respect the stand taken by state governments on this matter.

“There is a disagreement, a difference of opinion. I respect the decision at the state level. There are states that prohibit the programme and there are those which allow it,” he told reporters.

Yesterday, the Penang Islamic religious council said there was no prohibition on anyone organising a programme that invites Muslims to visit non-Muslim houses of worship to understand other religions as long as it does not violate existing laws.

However, the Selangor Islamic religious department has prohibited the Jom Ziarah programme, an initiative under “Project Article 11” by Impact Malaysia, an organisation under the youth and sports ministry.

Under the constitution, Islamic affairs come under the purview of state governments.