Spell out ‘liberalism’ before attacking us for it, Muslim group tells authorities

(Malay Mail Online) – Accused of being “deviants”, a Muslim women’s group and several activists today urged Putrajaya and religious authorities to clearly define “liberalism” and “religious pluralism”, and how the concepts are against Islam.

Sisters in Islam (SIS) also claimed that it was not consulted before the Selangor religious authorities decreed a fatwa, or religious edict, singling out the group as “deviants”—insisting that such a process is necessary before issuing a fatwa.

“What does it mean when they’re accusing us of being so-called liberals and religious pluralists?

“Can they please define these two terms and say exactly what it is we did that is liberal and pluralistic, and somehow also against Islam?” asked Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, a board member of SIS, at a press conference here.

“What we’ve worked for these years, is for justice and equality for Muslim women. If justice and equality is considered non-Islamic, then I don’t know (what is Islamic).”

SIS filed its challenge in the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning together with several individuals previously labelled as “liberals”, including prominent feminist Zainah Anwar and former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

They named the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais), the Selangor Fatwa Council, and the Selangor government as respondents.

The fatwa by Mais gazetted on July 31, 2014, singled out SIS by name, in addition to “any individuals, organisations or institutions”.

It also deemed any publications with elements of liberalism and religious pluralism as haram, or prohibited, and can be seized by religious authorities.

“I am a Muslim, and a liberal. When they issued such fatwa, naturally I was offended,” Zaid told reporters.

“I urge the prime minister to spell this out, for the sake of all Muslims,” he added.

Malaysia’s religious authorities have long derided liberalism and pluralism, with Friday sermons nationwide claiming a conspiracy by “enemies of Islam” to manipulate Muslims through ideas like secularism, socialism, feminism and positivism, in addition to the two.

This was repeated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who in April said that Islam is now being tested by new threats under the guise of humanism, secularism, liberalism and human rights.

SIS’s challenge, however, has antagonised conservative Muslims, with PAS Youth today declaring SIS as an “insolent” and “extremist” group out to challenge the monarchy and Federal Constitution.

Pro-clergy Muslim group Geng Ustaz Cintakan Ulama (Gang of Ulama-loving Ustaz) also originally planned a rally against SIS in front of the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex this morning, but only six people turned up to the aborted event.

“We have a right to file a judicial review, it is within the law,” SIS executive director Ratna Osman replied to the Muslim groups.