Thursday, November 27, 2008

malaysiakini and the CONFUSING STATE of FATWAS....

Most people will understand that mixing politics and religion will create a heady cocktail and the recent furore over the practice of yoga by Muslims is a case in point.
First we have the National Fatwa Council(NFC) coming out with the proclamation that yoga is haram for Muslims.
Fortunately many Muslims in Malaysia can think clearly and this letter in malaysiakini shows that critical thinking is not lacking in Malaysia.
Fatwa must not result in confusion, injustice strongly suggests that fatwas are "to enlighten and educate the public so Muslims can arrange their affairs in accordance with Islamic teachings".

The letter also suggests that "a voluntary and optional concept throughout the history of Islam and in the current practice of other Muslim countries has been turned into an instrument of law and coercion in Malaysia".

In other words, it seems fatwas can be used in Malaysia as a form of oppression and easily manipulated for political reasons. It also makes it easier for men to control women for men have more authority in such bodies.

If Muslims are confused, the rest of the population must be wondering why they pay taxes to support such a confusing state of affairs. In other words, such unnecessary and unjustifiable expenses on enforcement would be better spent on better education and recovery programs like single mothers etc.

For a start, the NFC should not have issued such a proclamation unless it had already been approved by the Council of Rulers. Only then do we accord the Rulers with due respect as the protector of the religion.

No comments: