Muslims outraged over picture of American singer's tattoo in daily
KUALA LUMPUR: THE Home Ministry has called up the chief news editor, managing editor and senior editor of the English daily, The Star, to explain the use of a picture of American singer Erykah Badu bearing tattoos of the Arabic word for Allah.
Deputy Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said the ministry would be issuing a show-cause letter to demand a written explanation from the publication within a week.
"Further action will be taken based on the explanation given," he said in a statement yesterday.
Muslim groups yesterday called for action to be taken against the paper while Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said tattoos of Islamic religious scripture were considered an insult to Muslims.
"While Americans and non-Muslims view tattoos as an art form, the name of Allah should never be used that way," she said yesterday.
The offending picture, published in the Star2 entertainment section of the paper yesterday, accompanied a lengthy profile of the American star ahead of her performance here tomorrow.
Mashitah said as a singer performing in a Muslim country, Badu should have been aware of the religious sensitivities involved.
"Our religion does not even permit the name of Allah to be brought into the bathroom, let alone be used as a tattoo."
In Bangi, former Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa questioned why that particular image of Badu was chosen out of thousands of photographs taken of the popular R&B star.
"As I understand, the tattoos are not permanent and there are many other pictures of her without them."
Nasharudin said the incident seemed to be a deliberate attempt to stir up religious conflict, given the clarity of the image used.
"The offensive nature of the tattoos is undisputable. Not only is the term Allah clearly visible, it is surrounded by Hebrew symbols, as well as a symbol usually associated with Sikhism.
"The picture seems to be espousing the concept of 'religious pluralism', which is not something that we as Muslims here can accept."
Nasharudin said it was not the first time that The Star had offended Muslims, referring to a similar incident last year when the paper published Ramadan articles with advertisements for non-halal restaurants.
"I hope the Home Ministry takes a strong stance against the paper and its editors. A public apology alone is not enough," he said, adding that Pas Youth, as well as several Muslim organisations, were planning to stage a protest at the paper's offices if insufficient action was taken against the publication.
Muslim Consumers Association chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said the paper should have been aware of the sensitive nature of the image and censored it accordingly.
"The country's peace depends on strong understanding and respect between the different communities and religions.
"But when such incidents occur, it gives the impression that insulting Islam is acceptable behaviour." Additional reporting by Liyana Jamaludin
Read more: Top 3 editors hauled up - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/top-3-editors-hauled-up-1.52815#ixzz1nhkXyWm3
KUALA LUMPUR: THE Home Ministry has called up the chief news editor, managing editor and senior editor of the English daily, The Star, to explain the use of a picture of American singer Erykah Badu bearing tattoos of the Arabic word for Allah.
Deputy Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said the ministry would be issuing a show-cause letter to demand a written explanation from the publication within a week.
"Further action will be taken based on the explanation given," he said in a statement yesterday.
Muslim groups yesterday called for action to be taken against the paper while Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said tattoos of Islamic religious scripture were considered an insult to Muslims.
"While Americans and non-Muslims view tattoos as an art form, the name of Allah should never be used that way," she said yesterday.
The offending picture, published in the Star2 entertainment section of the paper yesterday, accompanied a lengthy profile of the American star ahead of her performance here tomorrow.
Mashitah said as a singer performing in a Muslim country, Badu should have been aware of the religious sensitivities involved.
"Our religion does not even permit the name of Allah to be brought into the bathroom, let alone be used as a tattoo."
In Bangi, former Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa questioned why that particular image of Badu was chosen out of thousands of photographs taken of the popular R&B star.
"As I understand, the tattoos are not permanent and there are many other pictures of her without them."
Nasharudin said the incident seemed to be a deliberate attempt to stir up religious conflict, given the clarity of the image used.
"The offensive nature of the tattoos is undisputable. Not only is the term Allah clearly visible, it is surrounded by Hebrew symbols, as well as a symbol usually associated with Sikhism.
"The picture seems to be espousing the concept of 'religious pluralism', which is not something that we as Muslims here can accept."
Nasharudin said it was not the first time that The Star had offended Muslims, referring to a similar incident last year when the paper published Ramadan articles with advertisements for non-halal restaurants.
"I hope the Home Ministry takes a strong stance against the paper and its editors. A public apology alone is not enough," he said, adding that Pas Youth, as well as several Muslim organisations, were planning to stage a protest at the paper's offices if insufficient action was taken against the publication.
Muslim Consumers Association chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said the paper should have been aware of the sensitive nature of the image and censored it accordingly.
"The country's peace depends on strong understanding and respect between the different communities and religions.
"But when such incidents occur, it gives the impression that insulting Islam is acceptable behaviour." Additional reporting by Liyana Jamaludin
Read more: Top 3 editors hauled up - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/top-3-editors-hauled-up-1.52815#ixzz1nhkXyWm3
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