‘I want to touch a dog’ event an attempt to insult Malaysia’s clerics, says former Johor mufti
Former Johor mufti Datuk Nooh Gadut said the “I want to touch a dog” programme organised by Muslims in Selangor yesterday was an attempt to insult ulama (clerics) and religious authorities.
The adviser to the Johor Islamic Religious Council said it was haram (prohibited) for Muslims to deliberately touch dogs as they were dirty (najis mughallazah) according to two Muslim schools of thought, Shafie and Hanbali.
"Don't try to create a culture that goes against Islam and the Shafie school of thought, especially when it has elements of insulting the ulama in this country," he was quoted as saying in Malay-language daily Berita Harian.
"This is forbidden for three reasons, which are religion, health and a culture that contradicts with Islam. It must be remembered that Malaysia adheres to the Shafie school of thought," he said.
According to Berita Harian, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) said last October that Muslims were prohibited from touching dogs for no pressing reason.
Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Othman said the religious authorities must investigate the purpose of the programme which he said was clearly against the beliefs of Muslims in the country.
According to Berita Harian, he said Muslims should not take the issue lightly and must refer to the authorities before doing anything that was against the Shafie school of thought.
Yesterday, more than 1,000 people turned up at the event in Bandar Utama, which was aimed at making Malaysians more aware of the furry four-legged creatures and also to educate others on how to practise "sertu" (cleansing).
This was to help people overcome their fear of dogs and bring together Malaysians to promote tolerance and understanding that goes beyond culture, race or religion.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) had approved the programme and Ustaz Mohd Iqbal Parjin was present yesterday to give a talk on the touching of dogs in Islam.
"Dogs are also God's creatures. We need to overcome the mentality of seeing the animal as an offensive creature. Teach the young to love others but at the same time know the limit of touching one," said Iqbal. – October 20, 2014.
