KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Amal Islam Hadhari (Damai) today expressed support for the call by the Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia for the government to use the provisions under the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment and Penal Code on those who question the country's fatwa institution.


Damai chief executive officer Amran Zakaria said the government should view the call seriously to protect the credibility of the National Fatwa Council which was responsible for guiding Muslims and explaining Islamic laws to them.


"It should be reminded that any individual, group or non-governmental organisation (NGO) that opposes the decision of the National Fatwa Council is actually challenging the Conference of Malay Rulers which gave the council the power to issue a fatwa (edict) on a matter," he said in a statement today.


Last Saturday, the National Fatwa Council ruled that the systematic practice of yoga involved physical movements, mantra and the aim of oneness with God, which contradicted Islamic teachings and hence Muslims should stop practising it as it could affect their faith in Islam.


Following the announcement on the fatwa, several NGOs have been issuing press statements seen as challenging the National Fatwa Council by asking it to focus on more serious issues and not yoga which they said was just a form of physical exercise.

FATWA-QUESTION 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Amran said non-Muslim groups and NGOs which had no understanding of the role of fatwa should seek clarification from the fatwa council and not go overboard with their views.
"We regret that there are also Muslim-based NGOs which question an edict merely based on mental logic in the interest of liberalism which they are championing,".

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