‘Haram’ for Muslims in Malaysia to protest against government: Fatwa council

Malaysian Islamic body, the National Fatwa Committee, announced on Sunday that it is not permissible for Muslims to participate in any gathering or demonstration intended to oust a government or cause disturbance in the country.

“Rioting, causing disturbances and damaging public property are all forbidden by Islam. This also applies to any intention to topple a duly elected government by organizing such demonstrations,” the body’s chairman Dr. Abdul Shukor Husin told reporters after chairing a meeting of the committee.

“No one is exempted, and no one should support any efforts that can cause harm, anxiety or unrest among Muslims to the point of the community becoming split, what more if there is bloodshed,” he added.

He also said that the committee viewed this issue seriously in light of “some Muslims resorting to rioting during street demonstrations, as had happened in the federal capital on April 28.” The Malaysia star reported.

Islam has “never called on its followers to resort to any action that could threaten people’s lives just to pursue a specific agenda,” the fatwa committee stated, adding that Muslims who participated in such demonstrations must repent.

More “useful discussion channels” could be implemented to practice democracy instead of protesting, Abdul Shukor said.

No fatwa on LGBT support

Meanwhile, the council refrained from issuing a fatwa (an Islamic religious edict) against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) “menace,” as Abdul Shukor described it, as the group felt that this was clearly ‘haram’ (forbidden) in Islam.

“Even showing support or sympathy (for LGBTs) is “haram.” It is the duty of all Muslims to rid this menace and if we support something that is not good, it can be said we are abetting it, which is a sin,” he said.

He added that idolizing leaders who supported LGBTs should also be avoided because Islam itself had listed the qualities to look for in a leader which among others were good morals, piety, being knowledgeable as well as trustworthiness, according to the Malaysian online newspaper.

(Written by Eman El-Shenawi)