Latest news with #Islamic
Sinar Daily
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Sultan of Selangor disappointed, sad with Federal Court's SIS fatwa ruling
SHAH ALAM - The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has expressed disappointment and sadness with regard to the Federal Court's decision. The court ruled that a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee does not apply to the Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution, but only to individuals. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, the ruler expressed his agreement with the statement issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) regarding the court decision. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, the ruler expressed his agreement with the statement issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) regarding the court decision. Following this, the Sultan of Selangor, as the Head of Islam in the state, urged the SIS Forum Malaysia to cease using the term Sisters in Islam in any publication or platform associated with the organisation. This request was made to prevent the indiscriminate use of the term Islam for the benefit and interest of the organisation. "His Majesty emphasised that the misuse of the term Islam in the name and publications of SIS Forum Malaysia can cause confusion among the Muslim community," the post said. The Federal Court granted an appeal by SIS Forum Malaysia and its co-founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, challenging the 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee. The fatwa had labelled the organisation as deviating from Islamic teachings. A four-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in a 3-1 majority decision, set aside the fatwa regarding its applicability to companies and institutions. MAIS Chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin earlier said that the council disagrees with part of the Federal Court's ruling, particularly the decision that the fatwa dated July 31, 2014, applies only to individuals and not to SIS Forum Malaysia as an organisation or institution. He added that MAIS had expressed sadness that the decision indirectly interferes with the process of issuing and applying fatwas related to Islamic law. "MAIS is also concerned that the Federal Court's majority decision in this case could open the door for irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam in companies, organisations, or institutions to practice and spread deviant teachings, thereby evading enforcement action. "If this situation continues, it will cause confusion and may undermine the faith of Muslims," he said. Salehuddin said that MAIS fully agreed with Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais' dissenting judgment, which asserted that the jurisdiction for resolving disputes concerning the fatwa lies with the Syariah Court based on the nature of the matter. "He (Abu Bakar) also said that although the company in this case is not a natural person who can profess the religion of Islam, the company is still subject to the fatwa. "This is based on the name SIS - Sisters in Islam, which clearly reflects an Islamic identity, and the company's activities involve publications and statements on matters related to Islam. This is further reinforced by the fact that the founders and directors of the company are Muslims," he said. Salehuddin added that the dissenting judgment aligns with the arguments put forth by MAIS in the case. This refers to the concept of an artificial person or 'syakhsiyyah i'itibariyyah' in Islamic jurisprudence, which permits actions to be taken against a company or organisation. He said that MAIS will continue to work alongside other religious authorities in Selangor to monitor and enforce actions against deviant teachings that contradict Islam. Salehuddin also urged the Muslim community to avoid any involvement in or support for programmes linked to ideologies deemed deviant and contrary to Islam, such as liberalism and religious pluralism. "MAIS also reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing and taking appropriate action in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments, as well as state Islamic religious councils and with the support of the royal institutions, to strengthen existing laws and uphold the status of Islam in accordance with its position as the religion of the Federation," he said. Salehuddin said MAIS' position was conveyed to the Sultan of Selangor, who agreed with the contents of the statement issued by MAIS concerning the court decision. - BERNAMA
Daily Tribune
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Al Baraka integrates faith and fintech
TDT | Manama Al Baraka Islamic Bank is demonstrating that Islamic finance can deliver cutting-edge performance, earning global praise for its seamless USD payment processing while staying true to Sharia principles. The Bahrain-based bank has received the Straight-Through-Processing (STP) Award from The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), a leading global financial services firm. The award recognises institutions with highly automated and accurate cross-border payment systems, validating Al Baraka's ability to blend ethical banking with digital sophistication. Global validation BNY grants the STP Award to financial institutions that meet the highest benchmarks in straight-through-processing of payments, meaning transactions completed without manual intervention. The award was presented by Salman Alhashimi, Head of MEA NBFIs and Deputy Head of the GCC Region at BNY, to Dr. Adel Abdullah Salem, CEO of Al Baraka Islamic Bank, in the presence of Hussain Yousif Atiya, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer. 'We are proud to receive this recognition from BNY, which reflects our continued focus on operational excellence and innovation in financial services,' said Dr. Salem. 'It is the result of our ongoing investment in digital infrastructure and our commitment to delivering efficient and reliable banking experiences to our clients.' Ethical meets efficient Atiya added, 'This award underscores the competence of our teams and their dedication to providing solutions that meet the highest standards for international banking and executing global payments. We're well poised to expand our offering of digital banking services to corporate and financial institution clients.' Al Baraka's achievement challenges assumptions that Islamic banks may lag in technological adoption due to Sharia governance frameworks. On the contrary, the bank's systems are not only compliant but also competitive, proving that religious values and world-class fintech can coexist.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
JUI-F chief criticises Pakistan govt's economic, foreign policies
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday delivered a scathing critique of the country's current economic and political direction, warning that national policies are increasingly shaped by foreign influences, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking during the ongoing debate on the Finance Bill 2025-26 in National Assembly, Rehman claimed that although the federal budget was presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, it was effectively drafted under the IMF's guidance. He criticised the government for failing to meet GDP growth targets and questioned its claims of economic progress. 'There can be no economic stability without justice for the people,' he said, calling for an end to what he termed political victimisation. Turning to the role of the armed forces, Rehman acknowledged their 'unparalleled' professional and defence capabilities but criticised them for exceeding their constitutional mandate. 'Our military performed commendably in recent clashes with India, largely because the nation was united behind it,' he said. 'That unity was missing during the 1971 debacle – what followed needs no explanation. The military must adhere to its constitutional mandate.' He argued that these capabilities could be further strengthened if the military remained within its constitutional boundaries and refrained from interfering in politics. 'It is no secret to anyone how the military influences parliament,' he remarked. 'We've been engaged in the war against terrorism for four decades, yet we still struggle to establish lasting peace in our own country.' On Pakistan's international standing, the JUI-F leader lamented the country's diminished leadership role in the Islamic world. 'We are a nuclear power and ought to be leading the Islamic world. Instead, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has become irrelevant, and the United Nations serves the interests of the United States.' He also criticised recent legislation that sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18, claiming it was passed under pressure from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 'Are we being stripped of our intellectual rights,' he asked. 'If this is the agenda being pushed by the powers that be, I will wage a war against it through the platform of parliament.' Commenting on global affairs, Rehman referenced a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir. 'Trump may have said there should be no war between Pakistan and India, or between Iran and Israel. But did he say there should be no war against Palestine? No.' He urged Pakistan to adopt a clear stance in support of Iran and Palestine. 'Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon have already been devastated. Pakistan could be the next.' Taking part in the debate, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawmaker Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari urged the government to prioritise education and resolve prolonged power outages disproportionately affecting the country's poor. Lauding her brother, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, for his efforts in promoting Pakistan's image abroad in wake of recent Pakistan-India clashes, Aseefa said the country must unite in the face of adversity. 'If Pakistan faces another crisis, every woman, child, and youth will stand up for it,' she added. She also paid tribute to the armed forces, particularly for their role in recent skirmishes involving the country's nuclear-armed neighbour India. Calling education a national priority, she criticised the persistent under-funding of the sector. 'It is shameful that in 2025, many people are still deprived of electricity,' she said, pointing to load-shedding of up to 15 hours a day in different parts of the country and warning of the toll on working-class communities. She called for increased investment in human development, urgent action on energy shortages, and economic reforms to boost growth and reduce reliance on external lenders. Qamarul Islam voiced confidence that the Budget 2025-26 would lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Amir Dogar advocated for an increase in the minimum wage to 50,000 rupees to alleviate pressure on low-income workers. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal called for a national policy to curb population growth, while Shagufta Jumani urged investment in water reservoirs to combat worsening shortages. Saad Waseem praised the government's economic team for presenting what he called a 'balanced budget,' citing improvements in key indicators. Muhammad Atif stressed that increased tax collection could only come from a stronger economy, not higher rates. On agriculture, Rana Muhammad Hayat proposed a 50 per cent reduction in input costs to boost exports. Amjad Ali Khan said industrial and agricultural development was essential for economic stability. Lawmakers also raised concerns about persistent power shortages. Naz Baloch specifically highlighted the issue of load-shedding in Karachi. Dawar Khan Kundi urged comprehensive reforms across agriculture, industry, services, and banking sectors to end Pakistan's dependency on the IMF. The debate revealed sharp divides along party lines. Opposition lawmakers criticised the budget as anti-poor, while members of the ruling coalition defended it. Some lawmakers from allied parties offered cautious support, raising concerns about implementation and inclusivity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Conversion of Hindu minors triggers community uproar
The conversion of three Hindu sisters and their male cousin - two of them minors — to Islam in Sindh's Sanghar district sparked a backlash from the local Hindu community on Wednesday. Acting on urgent appeals from the parents of 13-year-old Hunain Kumar, 16-year-old Jiya, 19-year-old Disha, and 22-year-old Diya — as well as the Hindu Panchayat — police recovered all four on Thursday and arrested the suspect allegedly responsible for the conversions. The three sisters and their cousin had left home without informing their families on Wednesday morning. Later that day, they released video messages stating they had accepted Islam of their own free will, without coercion. They also claimed they feared being harmed by their families for their decision. At a press conference, the mothers of the siblings — visibly distressed and weeping — accused a local computer teacher, Farhan Khaskheli, of brainwashing and abducting the children. "I want my son back. He is only 13 years old and cannot understand religion," said Hunain Kumar's mother, breaking down in tears. She appealed directly to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to help recover her son. The girls' mother also held Khaskheli responsible for the alleged conversion and abduction. "I have three daughters, and Khaskheli has taken all of them," she said through tears. Rajesh Kumar, head of the Hindu Panchayat, described the incident as not just a family tragedy, but a communal one. "These girls are not just daughters of Hindus — they are daughters of Sindh," he said, while showing their photos and questioning whether they were mature enough to decide to change their religion. Kumar added that the Hindu community had always lived in harmony with their Muslim neighbours and actively participated in Islamic festivals and local customs. He thanked civil society and politicians for their support and announced that the panchayat had held an emergency meeting in Sanghar on Wednesday. Sanghar SSP Ghulam Nabi Keerio visited the panchayat during the meeting and assured the community of swift police action. The FIR was registered on the basis of the parents' complaint.
The Star
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Star
SIS wins appeal against fatwa
PUTRAJAYA: A Selangor fatwa (edict) that declared Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia as 'deviant' 11 years ago is not applicable to the company as the entity could not be construed as a person professing Islam, the Federal Court ruled. The court ruled so after allowing an appeal by SIS in its dispute against the Selangor religious authorities over the fatwa that was gazetted in 2014. The judgment, however, applied only to the extent of the edict's application. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, when reading out the judgment, said the term 'persons professing the religion of Islam' refers to natural persons and not artificial persons such as companies. 'This constitutional interpretation aligns with the fact that only natural persons can profess the shahadah, perform prayers, fast in Ramadan and perform the Hajj – core tenets of the Islamic faith. 'A company, being an artificial entity, lacks the capacity to repent as proposed by the fatwa. 'Hence, we conclude that a company cannot 'profess' Islam in order to be lawfully classified as a 'person professing the religion of Islam' under Item 1,' she said in the 3-1 majority decision yesterday. (In the Federal Constitution, the Ninth Schedule has two lists, namely List I or Federal List, which lists down the areas that the Federal Government can make laws on, and List II or State List, which states what the state government has powers to make laws on. Item 1 refers to the State List.) The appeal arises from a judicial review application filed by SIS and its founder Zainah Anwar in October 2014 to challenge the fatwa that was gazetted on July 31, 2014. They named the Selangor Fatwa Committee, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and the Selangor state government as respondents. In 2019, the High Court dismissed the judicial review application while the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in 2023. The fatwa declared that SIS as well as any individual and group that adopted the 'deviant' ideologies of liberalism and pluralism were deviating from the teachings of Islam. The fatwa stated that any publications containing liberal and plural views of Islam should be banned and confiscated. It further directed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to censor social websites that go against Islamic teachings and hukum syarak. The fatwa also directed that any individuals holding on to liberalism and religious pluralism should repent and return to the path of Islam. Tengku Maimun said the issue of a company, organisation or institution escaping accountability relating to the fatwa does not arise. 'Accountability for violating the fatwa rests with the individuals behind such entities. 'This is further supported by paragraph four of the fatwa, which only requires individuals who adhere to liberalism and religious pluralism to repent,' she said. The apex court also asserted its separation of jurisdiction from the Syariah Courts. 'To avoid misunderstanding, we reiterate that we express no view on the content of the fatwa itself, especially phrases such as: '... liberalism and religious pluralism are deviant and misguided from the teachings of Islam' and 'any individual subscribing to liberalism and religious pluralism ideology must repent and return to the path of Islam'. These fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the respondents. 'With the reasons we have mentioned, we set aside the decisions by the High Court and the Court of Appeal,' Tengku Maimun said. The appeal at the Federal Court was initially heard before a five-judge panel. Besides the Chief Justice, other judges on the Bench were Court of Appeal judge Justice Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Federal Court judges Justices P. Nallini, Abu Bakar Jais and Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, who retired in April. Meanwhile, Justice Abu Bakar, who held the dissenting view, said a company would still be bound by a fatwa, especially in the present case as SIS comprises of Muslims and its work is related to Islam. 'It is disturbing that the first appellant could escape and not be subjected to the fatwa simply by being a company but nonetheless venturing to make assertions and expressing views affecting the precepts and tenets of Islam,' he said. 'It should not be concluded just because a company is not a person professing Islam as a religion such as in this case, the provision of the Constitution should not apply to the same,' Justice Abu Bakar added.
