Pahang mufti demands probe on Muslims touching dogs event
(MMO) – In defence of Malaysia’s Shafi’i Islamic practice, Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Othman urged religious authorities to investigate a controversial animal awareness event in neighbouring Selangor yesterday where some Muslims petted dogs for the first time in their lives.
According to Abdul Rahman and two other senior Islamic clerics, Selangor Mufti Datuk Tamyes Abdul Wahid and Johor Islamic Religious Council advisor Datuk Nooh Gadut, it is “haram” or forbidden for Muslims to touch dogs, Malay dailies Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia reported today.
“Muslims cannot take this lightly and they need to refer to the religious authorities first if they want to do something that is against Shafi’i school of jurisprudence,” Abdul Rahman was quoted saying by Berita Harian.
The “I Want to Touch a Dog” event organised by Syed Azmi Alhabshi yesterday was held at the Central Park in Bandar Utama, Selangor which drew nearly 200 volunteers and dog owners and where Malay Muslims were given the opportunity to pet the pooches, an animal that many of them regard as culturally taboo.
Nooh was quoted by Berita Harian as saying that touching dogs is forbidden in the Shafi’i school of thought.
“Don’t try to create a culture that is opposite to Islam and the Shafi’i jurisprudence, what more something that has elements of insulting the ulama in this country,” said Nooh.
The ‘I Want to Touch a Dog’ event drew nearly 200 volunteers and dog owners and where Malay Muslims were given the opportunity to pet the pooches, an animal that many of them regard as culturally taboo. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Read more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pahang-mufti-demands-probe-on-muslims-touching-dogs-event
