PUTRAJAYA, 10 Nov 2008: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today told non-Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not to challenge the National Fatwa Council’s credibility.
He said it was unfair to challenge or dispute a fatwa issued by the council purely on logic because it could create confusion among the people.
The issue of pengkid (tomboyism) for example had become a social problem, with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia receiving complaints. On that grounds, the Fatwa Council felt it was necessary to issue a fatwa on it, he said.
“The problem of a girl running away with a boy can be solved using the law, but what about a girl running away with a girl who looks like a boy?” he told reporters here.
Zahid said he was willing to organise a forum if the NGOs were confused or wanted further explanations on the background of a fatwa.
The NGOs or non-Muslim writers would not resort to disputing or challenging a fatwa but instead respect it should discussions be held, he said.
Zahid was commenting on the protest staged by non-Muslim NGOs — Katagender and Food-not-Bombs — on 7 Nov against the Fatwa Council ruling that pengkid is haram. — Bernama
