Following the gazetting of a fatwa (religious opinion) declaring the NGO Sisters in Islam (SIS) as deviant, Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) CEO has voiced concern over the tendency of authorities to resort to state power instead of dialogue.

 

“There is now a tendency to very easily resort to using law, fatwa, and authority, whereas we are of the opinion there are better ways of addressing the issue.

 

“There are many ways. In Islam, the usual manner is through muzakarah (dialogue), meetings and so on,” Saifuddin Abdullah told a press conference today.

Earlier today, he had hosted a dialogue between a group of PAS parliamentarians led by Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa ( left ), and SIS.

 

The fatwa was gazetted in Selangor on July 31, saying that SIS hold ‘liberal and plural’ religious beliefs and are therefore deviant.

 

However, Mujahid and Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad said although they do not always agree with SIS on issues, there is nothing it its advocacy to show that it holds such beliefs.

 

“The fatwa was on theological matters, whereas SIS works in the area of public policy,” said Saifuddin, in helping Mujahid explain his position.

 

Mujahid continued, “I think it is clear. After I have discussed with the sisters, I do not find what people claim to be ‘liberal beliefs’ in SIS. That’s why we have dialogues.

 

Meanwhile Khalid elaborated that SIS’ work was in advocating women’s rights especially in domestic violence, divorce and marriage; not to pose ideological arguments.

 

He expressed regret that SIS was not given an opportunity to explain itself before a fatwa was passed to declare them as deviants, and hope religious authorities would show more professionalism.

 

“I come from a party that wants the entire country’s administration to be subject to or compliant with Islamic laws.

 

“When such cases happen, where we pass judgment without due process of justice that is transparent and cautious, people would lose confidence in Islam’s ability to ensure a fair administration.

 

“That is in direct contradiction with what I am fighting for,” he said.

 

Constitutional issue

Meanwhile, SIS co-founder Zainah Anwar ( below ) stressed that the fatwa also calls on the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block social media sites that are against the teachings of Islam.

 

“State authority has trespassed into federal authority - that is a constitutional issue. This is a state fatwa that has asked a federal institution, the MCMC, to block social media sites…

 

“Is the MCMC supposed to obey that fatwa? Is MCMC going to be charged for violating that fatwa because it is not blocking any website that supposedly goes against the teaching of Islam, according to the Selangor fatwa committee?

 

“Does the federal government understand the enormity of this fatwa?” she said, in stressing that this is a constitutional issue as opposed to being a religious one.

 

In addition, she said it infringes the constitutional guarantees for the right to freedom of expression, the freedom of association and freedom of religion.

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