Latest news with #SIS
Zawya
an hour ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Community leaders call on United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to support demilitarization of Tripoli
Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Aeneas Chuma chaired a meeting with the Tripoli Center Outreach Committee Monday to discuss de-escalation efforts in Tripoli. These leaders, who has contributed to brokering and sustaining the truce since the May crisis, have been pivotal in preventing violence through community engagement. The Mission has facilitated targeted mediation meetings to reinforce their peacebuilding capacities, encourage coordination with official security institutions, and amplify local ownership in sustaining stability. During the same week, UNSMIL's SIS met with notables and community leaders from across the western region as part of ongoing efforts to support local peacebuilding. The meeting followed up on previous engagements and recognized their critical role in sustaining the truce. Participants discussed ways to further contribute to the implementation of local security arrangements and enhance coordination with official institutions. UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive dialogue and community-driven stabilization. 'UNSMIL and IC need to urge all parties to refrain from provocative speech and actions,' one of the notables said. During the meetings, the leaders shared their efforts and presented recommendations for peace initiatives. Participants stressed the need for a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program, warning of the risks of military presence in residential areas. "We share the demands of Tripoli's people and aim to demilitarize the capital," stated the participants. UNSMIL expressed its intention to increase collaboration and ensure that local voices continue to shape both local and national peace processes. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
The Star
5 hours 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.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
S'gor govt will stay vigilant against deviant teachings, exco man says after SIS court decision
KLANG: The Selangor government agrees with the stand taken by the state's religious authorities that the Federal Court decision favouring Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia may create a conduit for others to disseminate unacceptable religious teachings among Muslims. State Islamic affairs and innovation committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah ( pic ) agreed with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) that the decision may open a way for certain quarters to spread misunderstanding through organisations, societies, companies, or institutions. ALSO READ: Selangor Ruler: Stop using the term 'Sisters in Islam' "The state government will continue efforts to scrutinise, detect and enforce (the law) on any individuals who practise liberal and pluralistic religious ideologies. "This is to ensure that the sanctity of Islam continues to be protected in Selangor," he said on Friday (June 20). He urged the people to report any deviant teachings to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS). ALSO READ: SIS wins appeal against fatwa The Federal Court held on Thursday (June 19) that a 2014 Selangor fatwa declaring SIS deviant was not applicable since it is a company, and not an individual practising Islam. Fahmi said that based on the edict, any individual propagating liberal and pluralistic religious ideologies is regarded as having deviated from the teachings of Islam. "These individuals cannot be allowed to freely continue practising and spreading such ideologies directly or indirectly using the Islamic label to obtain legitimacy," he said. ALSO READ: Religious minister: Fatwas still crucial despite court's SIS ruling According to Fahmi, Muslims in Selangor will continue to protect Islam's sanctity and will not allow any individuals, groups or institutions to tarnish or confuse the aqidah (creed), influence, understanding and practice of the religion in the state. "The state's Islamic administration and management institutions such as MAIS, JAIS, Selangor fatwa committee and state executive council will continue to take full responsibility in ensuring that Islamic tenets continue to be intact and protected in Selangor," he added.
Malaysiakini
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Was majority decision on SIS absolutely correct?
COMMENT | In 2014, the Selangor government gazetted a fatwa which, inter alia, declared that Sisters in Islam (SIS), individuals, organisations and institutions that adopt ideologies of liberalism and pluralism are deviant and against the teaching of Islam. The state fatwa committee prepared the fatwa. Being aggrieved by the aforesaid fatwa, SIS and its founder,...
Malaysiakini
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Selangor sultan urges SIS to drop 'Sisters in Islam' from publications
The Selangor Sultan has expressed disappointment and regret over part of the Federal Court's ruling in favour of rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS), urging the NGO to stop using 'Sisters in Islam' in its publications. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said that the 'misuse' of the word 'Islam' in the name and publications of SIS Forum (Malaysia) could cause confusion among the Muslim community.
