A prominent Islamic scholar advised Muslims not to be overly obsessed with fatwas or religious edicts.

 

Tariq Ramadan, a professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University, said Muslims must develop their own opinions.

 

"There are things that you don't need to have mufti or a sheikh to answer, you have to build your autonomous positions," he asserted in a public lecture on Islam in conjunction with the 12th International Youth Gathering at Ampang this afternoon.

 

Tariq said there when it comes to matters such in one's neighbourhood or injustice, people should be capable to develop their own stance.

 

"Don't deal with things by only looking to somebody for a fatwa. We have to stop this obsession.

 

"There are fields where these are opinions and strategies and have nothing to do with a fatwa," he said.

 

He added that Muslims sometimes are too quick in looking for fatwas.

 

The Egypt-born Swiss academic joked that he was issuing a fatwa that Muslims don't always need a fatwa.

 

Religious authorities in Malaysia regularly issue fatwas on Muslim conduct and have even declared books illegal or organisations to be deviant.

 

Commenting on the banning of books, Tariq said it is not for people to try to protect Muslims from ideas.

 

Instead, he said Muslims should counter knowledge with knowledge.

 

On pluralism, Tariq said the fact that there were people adhering to various religions is a reality.

 

"If you want to be a good Muslim, instead of preventing people from believing (in what they want), you become a better believer by being consistent," he said.

 

He said this consistency means not only calling out countries who unfairly treat Muslims but also treating non-Muslims fairly in Muslim-majority countries, opining that minority Malaysians felt like second class citizens.

 

He also urged moderate Muslims to go down to the ground more often to engage the people instead of allowing those who have a literal interpretation of the scriptures to dominate.