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Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor exco sees SIS ruling as opening door to liberal and plural Islamic views, warns fatwa on ‘deviant' individuals still enforced
KLANG, June 20 – The Selangor government has claimed today that yesterday's landmark decision in favour of Muslim women's rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) may open the door to the spread of liberal and pluralistic views of Islam. State Islamic affairs and innovation committee chairman Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said he agrees with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) that the decision could be exploited by some organisations or institutions to disseminate alternative interpretations of Islam. 'The state government will continue efforts to scrutinise, detect and enforce [the law] on any individuals who practise liberal and pluralistic religious ideologies,' he was quoted saying by The Star. 'This is to ensure that the sanctity of Islam continues to be protected in Selangor.' Fahmi said existing fatwa or religious edicts still deem individuals who promote liberal and pluralistic interpretations of Islam as 'deviants'. 'These individuals cannot be allowed to freely continue practising and spreading such ideologies directly or indirectly using the Islamic label to obtain legitimacy,' he reportedly said. He urged the public to report any deviant religious teachings to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais). Yesterday, civil society SIS won its nearly 11-year-long court challenge against a Selangor fatwa, which means that its company — SIS Forum (Malaysia) — is no longer labelled 'sesat' or 'deviant' from Islamic teachings. Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who chaired the Federal Court's five-judge panel, read out the majority judgment which quashed parts of the Selangor fatwa. In other words, the Selangor fatwa will now only apply to individuals — labelling those who hold liberalism and religious pluralism beliefs as 'deviants' from Islamic teachings and requiring them to repent. In response, Mais had cited the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressing his disappointment and sadness over the Federal Court's decision. The sultan also urged SIS to cease using the term 'Sisters in Islam' in any publication or platform associated with the organisation.
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sultan of Selangor ‘sad and disappointed' over Federal Court's SIS fatwa ruling
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — 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. 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. Earlier today, 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 practise 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
The Star
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Selangor Ruler: Stop using the term ‘Sisters in Islam'
PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wants Sisters In Islam (SIS) Forum Malaysia to stop using the term 'Sisters in Islam' in any form of publication on any platform associated with the company. This is to ensure the word 'Islam' is not arbitrarily used for the benefit and interests of the organisation, the Ruler said while expressing his disappointment over the Federal Court's decision that SIS Forum, being a company, could not be subjected to the fatwa issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais). Earlier yesterday, the Federal Court, in a 3-1 majority decision, held that the SIS Forum, being a company, could not be subjected to the fatwa issued by Mais, as only individuals professing Islam, not companies, fall under its purview. 'His Royal Highness is in agreement with the contents of the statement issued by Mais concerning this latest decision. 'His Royal Highness emphasised that the misuse of the word 'Islam' in the name and publications of SIS Forum (Malaysia) could cause confusion among the Muslim community. 'In light of the Federal Court's decision, the Sultan of Selangor, as the Head of Islam in the state, urges SIS Forum to cease using the term 'Sisters in Islam' in any form of publication on any platform associated with the company, so that the word 'Islam' is not arbitrarily used for the benefit and interests of the organisation,' according to the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page. Mais chairman Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin stated that the court's decision indirectly interferes with the process of issuing and applying fatwas related to Islamic legal matters. He said Mais did not agree with part of the apex court's majority decision but instead it supported fully the dissenting view by one of the judges. 'Mais also expresses concern that the majority decision of the Federal Court in this case may open the door for certain irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam within a company, organisation or institution in order to practise and spread deviant teachings that go against Islamic teachings, thereby avoiding enforcement action against them. 'If left unaddressed, it may lead to confusion and could jeopardise the faith (aqidah) of Muslims,' he said. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the government will study the implications of the court judgment to safeguard the role of fatwa institutions. He said in a statement that fatwas continue to play an important role in providing Syariah-based guidance on contemporary issues affecting the Muslim community. 'In light of this, strong cooperation between the judiciary, legislature and religious authorities is important to ensure the function and credibility of fatwa institutions are respected within our constitutional framework,' he said.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Selangor Sultan calls for SIS to stop using 'Islam' in name
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor has expressed disappointment over a Federal Court ruling that a 2014 fatwa does not apply to Sisters in Islam Forum (Malaysia), a company, but only to individuals. In a statement on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said the use of the word "Islam" by SIS Forum (Malaysia) could confuse Muslims. "In relation to the Federal Court decision, Sultan of Selangor as the head of islamic religion in Selangor urges that SIS Forum (Malaysia) no longer use the term 'Sisters in Islam' in any form of publication on any platform associated with their company. "This is to ensure that the word 'Islam' is not used arbitrarily for the benefit and interest of the company," read the statement. Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council in a statement, expressed that while it respects the decision of the Federal Court, it does not agree with certain parts of the ruling. Its chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the Council is saddened because the Federal Court's decision has, albeit indirectly, interfered with the process of issuing and applying fatwa related to matters of Islamic law. "Mais also expresses concern that the majority decision of the Federal Court in this case may open the door for certain irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam through a company, organisation, or institution in order to practice and propagate deviant teachings contrary to Islamic principles, thereby evading enforcement action. "In addition, if this matter is left unchecked, it could cause confusion and potentially jeopardise the faith of Muslims," he said in the statement. Further commenting, Salehuddin stated that Mais nonetheless agrees with and fully supports the dissenting judgment delivered by Judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who held that the jurisdiction to decide disputes concerning fatwas lies within the Syariah Court based on the subject matter approach. "He also stated that although the company involved in this case is not a 'orang sebenar (natural person)' capable of professing the religion of Islam, it is still subject to the fatwa. "This is based on the name SIS, 'Sisters in Islam', which clearly carries an Islamic identity, as well as the company's activities, which include publishing materials and making statements on matters related to Islam. "This is further supported by the fact that the company's founders and directors are Muslims," he added. Earlier, the Federal Court in a landmark decision today ruled that a Selangor fatwa declaring liberalism and religious pluralism as deviant cannot be applied to SIS Forum (Malaysia), a company limited by guarantee, as it is not a natural person professing the religion of Islam.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ensure the word 'Islam' not used arbitrarily to benefit any party, says Selangor Ruler
PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah says that the word "Islam" should not be used arbitrarily for the benefit and interests of any individual or organisation. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office offical Facebook page Thursday (June 19), His Royal Highness also expressed his agreement with the contents of a statement by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) expressing "disappointment" over the Federal Court's decision that SIS Forum, being a company, could not be subject to a fatwa issued by Mais. "His Royal Highness is in agreement with the contents of the statement issued today by Mais concerning this latest decision. "His Royal Highness emphasises that the misuse of the word "Islam" in the name and publications of SIS Forum (Malaysia) could cause confusion among the Muslim community. "In light of the Federal Court's decision, His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, as the head of Islam in Selangor, urges that SIS Forum (Malaysia) cease using the term "Sisters in Islam" in any form of publication on any platform associated with the company, so that the word "Islam" is not arbitrarily used for the benefit and interests of the organisation," the post said. Earlier Thursday, the Federal Court, in a 3-1 majority decision, held that the SIS Forum, being a company, could not be subjected to the fatwa issued by Mais, as only individuals professing Islam, not companies, fall under its purview. The panel, led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, also ruled that the move to ban SIS publications or block their online platforms went beyond the jurisdiction of state religious authorities and should instead fall under federal laws governing media and communications. However, the court upheld the core of the fatwa, which declares liberalism and religious pluralism as deviant teachings in Islam, meaning it remains enforceable against individuals.
