The Pahang Darul Makmur State Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) is one of the State Government departments/offices in Pahang Darul Makmur, headquartered in Pekan.
The Pahang State Islamic Religious Department was established in 1926 under the name Majlis Anggota Islam. At that time, it was administered under the responsibility of the Tengku Besar of Pahang, Al-Marhum Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Besar Sulaiman Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ahmad, who was appointed as its first head.
It began operating in a small wooden building near the residence of Al-Marhum. Its office was later moved to the Office of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan until the end of 1951, and subsequently to the Balai Hinggap on the riverbank in Pekan Lama, Pekan. On 25 May 1973, the Pahang State Islamic Religious Department was officially housed in its present building.
Early Establishment
In its early years, the scope of the Pahang State Islamic Religious Department covered administration, the management of marriage, divorce and reconciliation (rujuk), as well as the Syariah Court. Its staff consisted of only a Head of Department, a Mufti and four clerks.
In 1956, the Majlis Anggota Islam Law was amended and replaced by the Administration of Islamic Law Enactment 1956. At the same time, District Qadhi Offices were established in Rompin, Pekan, Kuantan, Chenor, Temerloh, Jerantut, Lipis, Bentong, Raub and Cameron Highlands.
Development of the Department
From the 1960s onwards, the Pahang State Islamic Religious Department grew rapidly in its scope of duties. New divisions and units were established in line with the increase in staff, the takeover of community religious schools (Sekolah Agama Rakyat) and the establishment of District Mosques.