Muslims and dogs mingle in 'pat-a-dog' event

A dog patting event aimed at breaking the taboo over dogs among Muslims drew hundreds of participants in Petaling Jaya this morning.

 

The two-hour event which began at 8am at Central Park, Bandar Utama allowed opportunities to the public, including Muslims, to pat pet dogs while being overseen by their owners.

 

Prior to that, a mini forum was held, featuring a Islamic religious scholar, a Muslim taxi driver with experience in handling dogs and a veterinarian, where the public asked questions in a bid to allay fears on handling the animals.

 

Muslims were also thought how to properly cleanse themselves if they were to touch the dogs when they are wet as the dogs are deemed to be unclean (najis) in such a state.

 

Dogs have generally been a taboo among Malaysian Muslims with a misconception among more conservative sections of society that they are not allowed to come in contact with the creature.

 

However, at the event, Muslims were made aware that  there are ways to cleanse (samak) oneself for prayer purposes, if they are to come in contact with the animal when it is wet.

 

Aside from the patting, the event also allowed people from all walks of life to learn how to interact with dogs.

 

Muslim parents were also seen at the event encouraging the children to pat the dogs.
 

Syed Azmi Alhabshi, who organised the event, said he was pleased at the encouraging response.

 

"Today, many Muslims came and they were comfortable as they did not have any doubts after we taught them the proper cleansing methods and the dog owners were also present to oversee them.

 

"What is important is knowledge (for Muslims to handle dogs)," he told Malaysiakini.

 

Meanwhile, participant Aimi Syafiqah Ghazali, 23, praised the event for creating awareness and shedding the negative perception that Muslims supposedly cannot touch dogs.

 

"Normally Muslims in Malaysia are sceptical. They would say we cannot do this or cannot do that. But this event creates awareness that Islam is actually a simple religion.

 

"We need to get rid of that mentality (that everything is forbidden). This event is a good start and I hope there would be more of such events at other places," she said.

 

Echoing this is Siti Khadijah Samsudin, 22, said such events teaches Muslims to love other creatures despite certain rules that must be followed.

 

Abdullah Fauzi Samsudin, 31 said such events help to allay Muslims' fear of touching dogs and to get to know the creature better.

 

"Even though dogs are considered unclean (najis) but they are very friendly. There are ways to touch a dog and we can also touch them when they are dry," he said.