Retract circular on fatwa, Penang govt told
Pas says the circular, which makes the gazetting of a fatwa conditional upon getting the approval of the state executive council, amounts to unwarranted interference in Islamic matters.
BALVIN KAUR
AND SITI NURSURAYA ALI KEPALA BATAS news@nst.com.my
PENANG Pas has demanded the DAP-led state government retract its circular on the issuance of fatwa (religious edict) in the state.
Its commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, who deemed the move as interfering in Islamic matters, said to date, the state government had yet to retract the circular despite calls from Pas and the Muslim community.
He said even the previous state administration led by Barisan Nasional, Gerakan and Umno did not interfere in the state Fatwa Council’s matters.
However, he said, the DAP-led state administration issued a circular making it mandatory for all fatwa to be approved by its state executive council before being gazetted.
“Fatwa is under the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of Islam.
“The state government should not interfere in the matter.
“Who are they to do so?” he asked after the officiating the Pas election machineries in Kota Aur, Penaga, here yesterday.
Early this year, Penang Pas Youth said there was political interference by the state government in the appointment of the state mufti and the issuance of fatwa process.
It was also revealed that several fatwa had been allegedly blocked by the state government.
The revelation prompted Muslim non-governmental organisations to hold protests and lodge
(sesat).