Sisters in Islam (SIS) has condemned a minister's urging to defend Islam "by any way possible", and wants to know if this is a green light to incite violence in the country.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom needs reminding that Malaysia is not a theocratic dictatorship.

"Does this mean he is giving the go-ahead for anyone to take vigilante action against those the minister deems unIslamic, including violence?

"Does this mean that should anyone physically attack such persons, the state will take no action against them?" SIS asked in a statement today.

Yesterday, Jamil Khir ( left ) urged religious authorities to appeal the Court of Appeal's ruling last Friday that Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan state Islamic enactment forbidding Muslim men to dress as women is unconstitutional.

Jamil Khir went on to urge all Muslims to defend the teachings of Islam in any way possible.

SIS, puzzled that everything is being treated as a challenge to Islam, had pointed out that unjust and inefficient syariah laws are man-made, and therefore not infallible.

"Our federal constitution guarantees the fundamental liberties of every citizen, including Muslims.

"The rule of law applies to everyone, and everyone has a right to seek redress in the courts if they feel they have been unfairly treated,"SIS argued.

'SIS deviant fatwa made after dialogue session'

SIS also questioned the Selangor Fatwa Council's (SFC) decision to issue a fatwa declaring SIS as "lost and havings strayed from the path of Islam" and "spreading religious liberalism and pluralism" when the issues were allegedly not even discussed during a dialogue session with SFC.

SIS believes the fatwa was made based on the dialogue session it held with SFC.

"On Dec 14 2012, we received an invitation letter to a 'Majlis Dialog' (dialogue session). The invitation letter and the agenda made no mention of matters of faith.

"Moreover, the terms 'religious liberalism and pluralism' were not raised by any member of SFC during the dialogue," SIS said, adding that SFC was briefed on SIS's activities.

On top of that, the NGO is puzzled by the Selangor Mufti Department's (JMNS) gazetting of the fatwa, yet keeping it a secret from the public.

"Shouldn't the public be informed if SIS is considered deviating from the teachings of Islam," SIS asked, sarcastically.

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