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Malaysian Mufti's Poco-Poco ban is divisive
Straits Times - April 11, 2011
Salim Osman, Kuala Lumpur – When the Mufti of Perak, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, decreed on April 1 that popular line dance poco-poco is haram for Muslims because of its links to Christianity, there was disbelief even among his fellow clerics.
The dance, which is said to have originated from the Christian region of Indonesia's Sulawesi, is a popular past-time for many Malaysians, who indulge in it for entertainment and as a way to keep fit.
For these reasons, several clerics have said they disagree with the Perak mufti, arguing that it should be permissible under Islamic law as long as the dance is not mixed with immoral deeds.
The fatwa is the latest ruling from the Perak leader, who has dominated the Islamic establishment with his controversial opinions on many issues that have later been endorsed by the National Fatwa Council (MFK), the country's highest body on religious ruling.
The ban will only be applied in Perak and not the whole country, pending a decision by the fatwa council on April 20.
Harussani has been credited with a string of controversial fatwas that have rocked the country in recent years. Among them was last year's edict banning Muslim youths from wearing the jerseys of Manchester United because the club's emblem contains a symbol of the devil.
Almost three years ago, the cleric was behind the ban on yoga on grounds that the ancient Indian art is associated with Hinduism that could "corrupt" a Muslim practitioner's faith.
Back in 2006, Harussani had called on Muslims to stay away from celebrating the festivals of other religions and from wishing their friends Merry Christmas, arguing that it "will damage the faith of Muslims and is tantamount to approving their religious faiths, hence constituting shirik." Shirik is Arabic for ascribing partners to Allah.
In the current stand-off over the use of the word Allah by Christians and their access to Malay Bibles, the cleric is also at the forefront in pressuring the government not to give in to Christian demands.
He has opposed the government's offer this week to release 35,000 Malay Bibles impounded in Malaysian ports, saying that it would go against state enactments that ban non-Muslims from using the word Allah for God.
Muslim groups claim that the word Allah is exclusive to them and that allowing Christians to use it confuses Muslims.
Harussani is one cleric who appears to be pushing an Islamic agenda that, if unchecked, risks nudging Malaysia from being a progressive, moderate Muslim country today, into the path of becoming a more conservative Muslim state.
He is not the only cleric with an ultra-conservative bent. There could be several others operating with Muslim non-government organizations like Pembela (Defenders of Islam), who are similarly seized by the issue of apostasy and are determined to defend Islam as the official religion of Malaysia.
The fatwa on poco-poco may be an innocuous ruling against a dance. But viewed together with other edicts issued in recent years, a grimmer picture emerges of inter-faith relations, because of the polarizing effects these declarations have on the communities.
Already, people are asking: What is next on the laundry list of the forbidden? Will taiji or qigong be declared haram too since the steps are said to have originated from gongfu and other schools of Chinese martial arts developed in Chinese temples hundreds of years ago?
The poco-poco dance, yoga and taiji are favorite past-times for Malaysians of all races, who mix together harmoniously in such activities. A ruling that bans Muslims taking part will close off a popular avenue for national integration.
Not only are the recent edicts polarizing across communities, they also risk causing unhappiness within the Muslim community.
The fatwa and the ban on Christians using the word Allah betray clerics' fears that their flock is weak in its Islamic faith and may be easily swayed by other religions' teachings.
The ban on yoga, for example, springs from clerics' fear that a Muslim could be swayed away from Islam by the Hindu origins of this practice. This may not go down well with Muslims who are serious about their faith, but see no conflict between being a good Muslim and doing yoga stretches for relaxation.
Such edicts can also drive a wedge between conservatives and moderates within the Muslim community.
Former mufti of Perlis, Dr Asri Zainul Abidin, disagrees with the fatwa on the poco-poco dance, which he said should be allowed "if the dance is for health purposes and not mixed with other elements such as alcohol and free sex."
There was an uproar from moderate Muslims over the ban on yoga, prompting then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to wade into the row, saying Muslims can do yoga as long as it has no Hindu spiritual elements.
There is also disagreement over the ban on Muslims participating in the festivals of other races and extending greetings to non-Muslims during their festivals. This is due to differences in interpretation on the issue.
In Malaysia, a fatwa is no longer just a matter of religion. It is often the subject of heated debate that spills over into the public and political arena. Not surprisingly, Malaysia's political temperature could rise correspondingly.
Most worrying is that the onslaught of controversial fatwas and edicts by a few hardline clerics may edge the country closer towards conservatism. Islamists cannot be the only ones defining what is Islamic and what is not. Moderates must also speak up.
Otherwise, if the fatwas are enforced a rift will gradually develop between Muslims and non-Muslims. Then, the convivial tone of Malaysian society where the different races mix together easily will change.
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