Authorities should ensure the ‘I Want To Touch A Dog’ programme which was held in Selangor recently will nor recur as it is an insult to Islam.

Persatuan Jemaah Pondok-pondok Kedah director Sobri Osman said such a programme should not be allowed and the participation of Muslims in the event clearly reflected their shallow knowledge of their religion.

He suggested that a campaign, such as ‘Do not Go Near Dogs’, to be held, if the objective was to educate Muslims on the proper way of handling dogs.

He advised Muslims who attended the event, held at Central Park, One Utama, near Petaling Jaya, to cleanse themselves should they happen to touch the dogs.

“If they are confident that they were dry and the dogs they touched were also dry, it is not be necessary for them to do so. Otherwise, they should do the proper cleansing method or their prayers will not be accepted,” he added.

The ‘I Want To Touch A Dog’ programme has been widely criticised when Muslims were allowed to touch and play with dogs brought to the event by non-Muslims.

- Bernama