‘Men’s aurat ruling enforced since 1985’

KOTA BARU: The ruling urging Kelantan men to be decently dressed is not meant to punish but to educate them on the need to cover their aurat.

A Kelantan senior government officer said the ruling had been enforced in the state since 1985 and only applied to Muslim men.

In Islam, aurat are parts of the body which must be covered from the sight of others with clothing.

“This is not the first time a man was given notice to attend counselling for improper dressing,” said the officer.

State Local Government, Housing and Sports committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood could not be reached for comment.

Kelantanese people said they welcomed the state government’s enforcement of the ruling.

Housewife Norhaslinda Ghazali said the matter should not have been made an issue as it had been in the state for so long.

“The religious authority has introduced this since Pas took over the state more than 20 years ago,” said the 43-year-old woman from Jalan Sri Cemerlang.

Trader Azlin Affandi said some local men had accepted the ruling but there were some who were still confused by it.

“They thought that the aurat ruling only apply to women who did not wear headscarves or cover up properly.

“Therefore, I hope the relevant religious authorities will conduct more awareness campaigns on this issue,” said the 28-yearold sundry shop owner.

Mohd Syafiq Aliff, one of the 85 people who attended the counselling session conducted by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department, said he too was hauled up for wearing futsal clothes early this year.

“I was wearing the (futsal) attire when I stopped to have a drink with friends here early this year.

“I have attended the session in February with others also issued with similar notices and we found the meeting to be interesting and useful.”