Some Islam-related news PPS overlooked...

Technorati tags: Islam, Malaysia, Progressive, Snoop Squad, ISA, Apostasy

While most everybody's attention yesterday had been focused on the rate hike for 5 highways in and around KL, two noteworthy news items seemed to have gone unnoticed (at least basing on what bloggers are talking about at PPS).

First: the newly appointed Mufti of Perlis, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, was in the news again.

"Invasion of privacy is against Islam" - Perlis Mufti
(PDF version of news item)

The message is loud and clear: No to Religious Snoop Squads.

In fact, invasion of privacy is un-Islamic. The mufti also commented on the recent raid on the elderly American couple in Langkawai, and also stated that it is an embarassment for religious officials to go around to hotels demanding guest lists. And as to the practice of publicity related to the raids:

He also questioned the practice of bringing along unauthorised people for khalwat raids such as the Press.

"What is the purpose of bringing along the media, and sometimes members of the public?

"Are we trying to shame a private individual publicly or are we really abhorring sins?"

The bad news is that the opinions of Dr. Asri only hold weight in Perlis, where he is the Mufti, as each state has autonomy and their own administration. The federal government merely has an advisory role.

The other bit of news has to do with ABIM (Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement), whose head Yusri Mohamad supported the call for the draconian ISA (Internal Security Act) to be used on apostates, made an about turn by expressing "regret over its statement last month that supported the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against Muslim apostates" (via The Sun).
(more overlooked news in the full post)

Last month, IIUM (International Islamic University of Malaysia) Law Professor, Dr Zulkifly Muda stated that the ISA could be used against apostates since, as he claimed, "they could be deemed threats to public order and security". ABIM head Yusry, in an interview, stated that he supported this position.

The irony? ABIM is part of the Abolish ISA (Gabungan Mansuhkan ISA) coalition, better known as the GMI.

GMI chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the coalition, comprising 83 non-governmental organisations that want the ISA repealed, would raise the matter at its weekly meeting on Wednesday (Nov 6, 2006) with Abim or the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia to determine the organisation's stand on the issue.

Syed Ibrahim was commenting on a statement by Abim president Yusri Mohamad last week (Nov 29) at an International Islamic University Malaysia convention on 'Freedom of Religion and the Issue of Apostasy: Towards Practical Solutions'.

Yusri had concurred with a presentation on the use of the ISA against apostates, saying it could be used in extreme situations where apostates threaten peace, order and security, and where "the authorities have trouble compiling evidence".
(source: The Sun, Monday, December 4, 2006)

The meeting took place last Wednesday (December 13), and Syed Ibrahim stated that no action would be taken against ABIM or Yusri over the latter's support for using the ISA.

When asked what was Yusri's explanation, GMI chairman Syed Ibrahim stated that it would be better for Yusri himself to comment. Yusri, so far, has declined comment, and has asked the press not to pursue the matter further.

Walski's take? Some people should be a lot more careful, and think before they speak in support of something, especially something which the organization you represent is against. Makes you look kinda stupid and hypocritical otherwise.