The controversy on the infamous Jawi raid has missed out one very critical dimension that no one seems to bother about. It is about the ‘class bias’ in the enforcement of religious laws among Muslims.
Typically, enforcers of Islamic laws on morality only go after working-class Muslims or youths in the streets. But are these the only ones who gamble, consume alcohol and drugs, commit adultery and engage in illicit sexual relations.
Have enforcers of Islamic law in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia or anywhere in the Muslim world ever raided palaces, presidential or ministerial residences or expensive bungalows of Muslim capitalists and aristocrats? Does it mean that the more power and wealth one has, the purer his or her Islamic faith?
Or are these ‘morality police’ unwilling or unable to summon enough moral courage to take on the rich and powerful among Muslims?
Would our enforcers of religious law dare charge our former inspector-general of police Haniff Omar and several other Muslims under the Shariah law for being a director of the Genting Group which also is the largest gambling concern in Malaysia?
Needless to say, Islam prohibits Muslims from gambling and that is why ordinary Muslims are not allowed to enter the Genting Highlands casino. But hypocritically, the rich and powerful are allowed to hold directorships for a gambling concern.
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NEWS
