The Malaysian Insider – 20 hours agoRELATED CONTENT
- State Islamic authority denies approving ‘Touch-a-Dog’ event
The Selangor Mufti has denied that the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) had approved the "I Want to Touch a Dog" event yesterday..
Datuk Seri Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid (pic) said the council did not issue any approval letter to the organiser and had referred the matter to the Petaling Jaya City Council as it involved the usage of a public field.
"No approval was given on our part to hold the 'touch-a-dog' programme," he said.
"The programme was being held by an individual on his own initiative," he said.
Mohd Tamyes said MBPJ should be the one explaining the reason for allowing the event to proceed.
"We are not clear what was the justification. It is under the local government's purview to approve, not the religious authorities," he told The Malaysian Insider.
"We are not clear what was the justification. It is under the local government's purview to approve, not the religious authorities," he told The Malaysian Insider.
On Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, Mohd Tamyes said he welcomed the department's decision to do so.
"Congratulation on their initiative. At least people will realise that it is not advisable (for Muslims) to touch dogs," he added.
The Malaysian Insider was informed by the organiser yesterday that Mais officer was supposed to be present at the event but did not show up.
Mohd Tamyes said Muslims are only permitted to own dogs for reasons such as security, hunting, farming, or service.
"If the programme was to get close to the dogs like that of pets, to be cuddled and kissed, then that is in line with the objective of owning a dog in Islam," he said.
He added that the objective of the organiser was questionable when most of the dogs brought to the event were pets, not those trained for the purposes mentioned.
Although the organiser, he said, had explained ways to perform the "samak" (special washing ritual), Muslims also need to understand that dogs are considered "najis" (unclean) and they are therefore prohibited from keeping such animals in their homes.
"If the objective was to get Muslims to keep them as pets then it has deviated from the purpose," he said.
It was reported today that Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha told Bernama that the programme should not have taken place, adding that Jakim regretted the irresponsible attitude of the organisers who were not concerned about the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
"Jakim will investigate the matter immediately and any action will be referred to the existing provisions," he told reporters last night.
He was commenting on the organising of the programme that received overwhelming response from Muslims in and around the federal capital yesterday.
Syed Azmi Alhabshi, a pharmacist in his 30s, had organised the event to help people overcome their fear of dogs and learn compassion for all animals.
The Kuala Lumpur native also said he wanted to help people overcome certain misconceptions and sensitivities surrounding dogs.
The Malaysian Insider on Saturday reported that Syed had obtained permission from the police and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to hold the event.
"Cruelty towards animals like dogs is not a Muslim issue. It is a Malaysian issue," Syed Azmi had said.
Over 1,000 people had attended yesterday’s event which saw Muslims and non-Muslims alike interacting with dogs of various breeds.
Syed said he was satisfied with the turnout as he had only expected 60 people to show up. – October 20, 2014
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