Malaysia, June 12, 2016: An Islamic cleric’s advice has created uproar in Malaysia that has a significant Christian and Hindu population as well.
The Islamic cleric, Kelantan Mufti Dato Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, has been quoted by Malay Mail Online as stating that non-Muslims must dress conservatively during the holy month of Ramadan as provocative attire could stress the majority Muslims. He gave this statement to another newspaper the New Straits Times.
He has been reported as saying that: “It is not wrong for them to dress how they like but they must be considerate because when Muslims, particularly men, bump into them at public places, it is considered haram.”
Angered by this statement HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) called upon Sultan of Kelantan to sack the Mufti of Kelantan for “interfering in the personal affairs of Non- Muslims in Kelantan and for crossing way beyond the boundary of his duties.”
Hindraf also said this was the way of the Islamic cleric of “provoking the sentiments of Non- Muslims unnecessarily by his idiotic statement and creating ill feeling and contempt .He gives the impression the Non-Muslim women in Kelantan are of immoral character with their norm of provocative dressing. It does not make sense and he has no business in the affairs of Non- Muslims what more directing them on how to dress appropriately. This is what we have always been worried about- the creeping Islamisation in the lives of non Muslims.”
Not stopping at that it also stated that the Islamic cleric is widely respected among Muslims of Malaysia “so he has to be careful not to hurt and insult Non-Muslims as well as interfere in their personal affairs at any time.”
It instead asked the Mufti to tell Muslims to foster closer relationship and understanding with their Non-Muslim in Malaysia.
Earlier, a Hindu Temple was desecrated in Malaysia that drew ire of all religious groups in the nation. Malaysia prizes itself as a liberal Muslim nation, however, extremists are increasingly becoming more and more encouraged.
