The National Fatwa Council has agreed in principle with the arguments of the Malaysian Muftis Council and suggested that guidelines be drawn up to control events like corporate-funded carnivals and concerts.

Fatwa council chairperson Dr Ismail Ibrahim said muftis council chairperson Dr Harussani Zakaria was right to note that the appearance and conduct of artistes and participants at TV3's Sure Heboh travelling carnival are contradictory to the principles of Islam.

"From a technical perspective... his views are representative of all muftis, but (do not amount to) an official fatwa by the council. I am not questioning what is considered sinful (by Harussani), but in fact (feel that) all sides should support his views," he said in a statement today.

"This growing phenomena has been directly or indirectly exploited by companies and individuals through live telecasts and sponsorship, and held against (a backdrop of) loud surroundings, insensitivity over prayer times, free mixing across gender and all sorts of ill-mannered appearances, including sometimes pornographic or crude statements by event hosts..."

The statement - which did not specifically refer to the TV3 carnival - was issued in the wake of debate generated by the muftis council's decision last week that the Sure Heboh carnival was haram (prohibited) under Islam.

Harussani said in Ipoh last week that this event has encouraged free mixing between the sexes, especially among youths, and had resulted in Muslims neglecting obligatory prayers.

However, he said it was not necessary to issue a fatwa (religious decree) for such events to be deemed haram and therefore, stopped.

'Intentions ruined'

Ismail noted the need for guidelines and control over such entertainment events, in view of the fact that these could attract criticism from many quarters.

While conceding that such events may include positive activities such as donation drives, he said "the noble intentions are usually ruined by these entertainment programmes that transgress moral and religious values".

In another statement today, four organisations - Teras Pengupayaan Melayu, Kedah Ulama Association, Syariah Research and Development Institute, and Community Collaboration and Development Institute - supported the muftis' call to end the Sure Heboh carnival.

"TV3 should not only think of building its image as a popular television station by sponsoring non-stop entertainment programmes," they said.

"With the growing number of entertainment shows on television and other 'wild elements' in the electronic media, we believe that social problems will worsen if the government continues to allow such events to destroy our youth...(especially when) the indices for serious crimes like murder, snatch thefts and rape have reached a critical level.

"We believe that it would be wise for the muftis' advice to be taken in the spirit of accepting criticism... it would be unwise if the views of muftis, who are religious advisors to the government and who are appointed by Sultans, are ignored by some."