Utusan tells MCA to butt out of Islamic affairs in Kelantan ruling
(Malay Mail Online) – Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia slammed ally MCA today for hitting out at a piece of legislation in Kelantan which makes it mandatory for female Muslim traders and workers to wear headscarves at wet markets, supermarkets, restaurants and commercial centres.
Female traders must cover up their “aurat” or pay up to RM500 if found not doing so by enforcers under a special operation mooted by the Kota Baru local council in opposition PAS-ruled Kelantan.
After noticing that many were neglecting the covering up of their modesty as required under Islam, the Kota Baru Municipal Council Islamic City (MPKB-BRI) launched the four-month-long Operasi Gempur Aurat that began on September, Nor Azariza Mohd Alawi said last week.
The local council’s Nor Azariza said this was not a new rule, pointing out that a circular on the dressing ethics had already been issued, but said fresh enforcement was needed to reinforce it.
Today, the broadsheet’s regular columnist who pens articles under the pseudonym “Awang Selamat” wrote that there is nothing wrong with the law and that it wasn’t unjust.
“There is no need for MCA to get involved with the issue of a Muslim’s aurat. Focus on the real challenge of exposing the shortcomings of DAP,” he wrote.
The Malay word “aurat” refers to “intimate body parts” that Muslims must cover with clothing. For Muslim women, most Muslim jurists agree that their “aurat” towards the public include their whole bodies, except their faces and hands.
Some Muslims hold the view that those who wear tight-fitting clothing that show the shape of their bodies are considered to be exposing their aurat.
Last week, MCA Vice President Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the action by PAS only served to deter women from joining the workforce because it was trying to confine them to their houses.
She added that such an act not only went against the rights of non-Muslims in Kelantan, but also was discriminatory and oppressive against women in general.
An article published by Malay language daily Sinar Harian last week did not clearly state if the rules on covering up the “aurat” apply only to Muslim women, but a filler accompanying the news report stated that non-Muslim female traders were required to be decently dressed.
In the same filler by the daily, it was stated that the rules for female Muslim traders and staff in Kelantan, include wearing a tudung or a headscarf that also covers their chests, wearing long-sleeves, wearing loose-fitting pants and skirts or clothing that do not show their body shape.
Awang also hit out against outspoken group Sisters in Islam (SIS) for criticising the new enforcement.
“And to SIS, please respect the rights of majority Muslims, don’t go disgustingly overboard,” Awang, representing Utusan’s editors, wrote.
Awang pointed out that 96 per cent of the 1.4 million residents of Kelantan are Muslims.
