Why the question mark?
Because there was a report earlier quoting Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria that the Perak Fatwa Committee has ruled that poco-poco, a popular dancercize, especially among ladies (generally 40 and above) is haram because it has Christian elements.
Of course, there was an uproar because many people wondered why and how the fatwa came about.
A fatwa on poco-poco? Oh, please.
Is it harmful to the ummah? What damage has poco-poco inflicted on society?
Christian elements? Adoi.
Anyway, I digress.
Of course, reporters had to get the good mufti to explain, or whatever. But, it seemed, he refused to take any calls.
I was made to understand that he slammed the phone on a reporter.
I was also made to understand that he (according to him) was misquoted and his remarks were taken out of context. Whatever that means.
Today, two people (with authority on Islam) commented on the Perak fatwa.
Former Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri said in his blog that there was no rational reason for the dance to be banned by the Perak Fatwa Committee if it did not involve alcohol or free sex.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said poco-poco was just another form of exercise and should not be banned nationwide.
I suppose the less said the better but this is no small matter. This fatwa banning poco-poco makes no sense. With all due respect.
Read my column HERE.
I hope the Perak mufti have done his homework and not take the words of some unverified chain-mail. It could be worse, the Perak mufti could also be against all form of public dance, from latin, ballroom to makyong and zapin.
ReplyDeleteI read that they banned the dance because the dance steps resembled a cross. What's next? Ban four way road junctions (simpang empat)? How about banning the letter "t"? or the + (plus) sign?
ReplyDeleteCheh!!!
ena, some makcik friends are saying on my fb wall that they may have to resort to belly-dancing or pole-dancing for riadah since those aren't banned yet. belly-dancing, since it's arabic in origin, sure can get approval ya, what d'you think? ;D
ReplyDeleteI think people should form an opinion, because acts like this are impinging on a basic human right - the right to improve ones health. In this case, the exercise is in the form of a dance. And it is unclear where "the elements of Christianity and soul worshipping" lie, as Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria was quoted as saying these elements made the dance haram. It begins to get very cloudy and confusing as to what then remains that Muslims can do as we can definitely find elements of a religious nature in many things we take for granted. As the former mufti of Perlis has openly said “In my opinion, the poco-poco dance is allowed...it is permissible under Islamic law and should not be banned."
ReplyDeleteSalams Dato,
ReplyDeletePerak Mufti wants to c a lot of fat women in the state.
wawa
I hope the Muftis will also come down hard on:
ReplyDelete1. Fathers who neglect to pay child support
2. Serious Litterbugs
3. Monster drivers with no regard for people's safety on the road
4. Corruption-the Givers as well as the receivers
5. Bigots etc, etc, etc
And how about a Fatwa on unsolicited Fatwas while they're at it?
another one... how come poco poco originates from Jamaica... not Indonesia???
ReplyDelete"I'm staying out of the debate"
ReplyDeleteAnd that's exactly where the problem is - allowing the thin end of the wedge to continue being shoved in by irresponsible Mullahs and Talibans!
Do speak out and loudly because today it may be poco poco, tomorrow it may be your (womens') right to blog.
dpp
we are all of 1 Race, the Human race
The Mufti of Perak is making a big fool of himself. It is about time he goes. He has certainly gone bonkers.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSalam,
ReplyDeleteEverybody is missing the point - the question of whether the Muslims (Malays) in this country condone being told by paid government servants what can be done and what cannot be done in their religion (and enforced)?
That is the point that must be addressed which no one has.
jahamy
to commenter calling ITself Trinora: Sorry. Won't publish your comment.
ReplyDeleteBecause I can.
Since the Perak Mufti got so much of free time, pls ask him to check Kuda Kepang Dance.
ReplyDeleteI am fed up of being told that I can't question all these mufti types. They are human beings like the rest of us. Just because they are muftis, it does not mean that I am unable to study my religion and question them.
ReplyDeleteI want to know what this Mufti's qualifications are. Yes, I want to know. Which scholar did he study under? How long did he study? Which subjects did he study?
I hate it when we are told that we should just leave these fatwa issues to those "yang lebih berpengetahuan".
Enough is enough. Focus on the issues that really matter. My dear Tan Sri Mufti - please look at Kalinda's list of issues above. It's a good start for you.
Ahmed Said
seseparuh 'ulamak' patut dipanggil 'alamak!' saja [jangan lupa tanda seru (!)].
ReplyDeleteMekyam you and your friends are damn right.
ReplyDeleteThere are many other things which are obviuosly haram. Whether fatwaed by mufits, stated in kitabs of fiqh, or clearly mentioned in Quran and Hadiths.But still it is up to each and every individual Muslim to observe and comply based on his/her strength of faith.(Tepuk dada tanya Iman).
As for the Mufti of Perak , giving out fatwas happen to be part of his job.In this case, whehter he is addressing a relevent issue or not,let the Jabatan Agama or the Majlis Fatwa deal with him.And ultimately since his position is dealing with the religion of Allah. He will be dealt with by Allah sure enough.
Simillarly for all of us,our final judgement will not come from any any Mufti or Kadi or Tuan Guru, but Allah.
So its still your call actually. Just chill out people. Let the guy do his job and don't let him bother your lives.Just do your thing if you have to...:)
wak
issuing a fatwa is a serious business and has a lot of repercussions. i hope the Perak mufti had double checked his facts with the Indonesian / Philippines / Jamaican consulates along with our local anthropologist / historians. Its worth the extra effort in order to get his facts correct in the first place. From what i gather, the mufti only liaised with the Perak Department of Arts and Culture. Will that be enough to form the basis of a fatwa?
ReplyDelete