Poco-poco OK, says National Fatwa Council

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — The National Fatwa Council will not ban Muslims from doing the poco-poco as long as the dance does not go against existing guidelines, its chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin has said.

“If it does not violate (the rules), there is no ban. In fact, we feel there should be no restriction as it brings health benefits,” he told reporters today.

Abdul Shukor, however, said the National Fatwa Council would respect the decision of the Perak Fatwa Council to ban the dance on the grounds that it contained elements of Christian and spirit worship.

He also reminded Muslims to always be mindful and refer to the guidelines that the council has issued since 2007 that caution Muslims not to take part in non-Islamic rituals and to dress modestly.

Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria told The Malaysian Insider on April 6 that he would not rescind the ban on poco-poco but was willing to offer clarification on his decision to the National Fatwa Council.

Harussani stressed that the state fatwa committee had decided to ban the dance only after detailed study and consideration.

“I’m prepared (to explain) that we banned the poco-poco dance because we investigated ... we studied ... we examined, and we banned it because it deviates from Islamic teachings,” he had said.

“This decision wasn’t done simply. We know and realise what we’re doing. If anyone doesn’t understand, I am willing to explain and give reasons, even to the National Fatwa Council, as to why it was banned.”

Harussani said the state fatwa committee had taken into account nine basics — including one stating that faith and belief are more important than health — before declaring the poco-poco dance haram.