The Islamic Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) supports the view of the Malaysian Council of Muftis that the immensely popular 'Sure Heboh' concert violates Islamic values.

Abim deputy president Yusri Mohamad said the concert, organised by TV3, contradicted with Syarak or Islamic law.

However, he said the controversy surrounded the concert alone and not the entire Sure Heboh Carnival.

"We understand that there are many stalls with displays and items for sale, as well as collection of donations during the carnival, (these) are not the main issues.

"As such, it is not right for the issue of the Sure Heboh concert to be complicated with references to other aspects of the Sure Heboh Carnival ," he said in a statement made yesterday.

Forbidden activities

According to Yusri, although not all forms of musical entertainment were forbidden in Islam, the music and dance movements of some of the performers at the Sure Heboh Concert were against the religion.

He said even if nasyid [Islamic songs] and "positive songs" had been included in the programme, there was still a high percentage of haram (prohibited) content.

"From the aspect of how the concert was run, there was an atmosphere which encouraged several activities which were clearly forbidden in Islam like free mixing between the sexes, wasteful idling, disregard of prayers and youths going home late," he added.

Yusri said Islam regards something which 'opens the door' to things which are prohibited as being haram itself.

In view of this, he said Abim welcomes the view of Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria, as a representative of the mufti council, that the concert was haram.

Yusri described the view of the council as reflective of the deep concern of its members entrusted by their respective state governments with the duty to mold the personality and character of Malaysian Muslims.

"We also understand that the council had the responsibility to correct situations in our society where wrong actions are carried out widely, excessively and openly."

He said Abim feels that although the council did not issue an official fatwa, its views should be respected and adhered to.