MAIS claimed it was misinformed on ‘I Want To Touch A Dog’ event

(NST) – The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) today claimed that it was misinformed by the organiser of the ‘I Want To Touch A Dog’ event on its actual objective.

MAIS chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Ali said that MAIS was approached with a proposal for an event that would focus on spreading awareness on the position of dogs and the related hukums on it according to Islam.

“The proposal said this program would include the ways of purification when one accidentally or purposely touched a dog under different circumstances.

“Among the objectives listed were creating awareness on dogs in Islam, the ways of purifications, the hukum of touching dogs when one is saving them from harm and other different situations , and (the hukum of) dogs as pets in Islam

“After taking into consideration the objectives, I discussed the matter with the Selangor mufti and we both agreed to allow the event to take place,” he said.

Mohamad Adzib added that MAIS included some guidelines in its approval letter for the event, dated October 9, stating the participants were not allowed to touch the dogs.

“Dogs are haram to touch when they are wet or the hands of the human are wet. It is considered najis mughalazzah. However, it is permissible to touch dogs when both surfaces are dry, as it is not considered najis.

“In our Islamic credence, keeping dogs as hunters, guards and guides are allowed but they should not be allowed in the house for fear that they would spread unwanted disease or ‘najis’ in the house.

“What happened during the event, where participants hugged, touched and snuggled with dogs without any legitimate purpose as listed previously is considered against the Syarak. In fact the event’s objectives that day did not reflect what was listed in their proposal, MAIS deeply regrets what took place ” he said.

The controversial two-hour event in Bandar Utama last week saw close to 1,500 participants touching and taking pictures with dogs in an attempt to overcome negative public perception on dogs.