PAS MPs ask Mais to review fatwa declaring some Muslims deviants

KUALA LUMPUR: Three PAS MPs have called on the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to review its recent fatwa declaring any Muslim group or person "professing liberalism or religious pluralism" as "deviants".
Datuk Dr Muhajid Yusof Rawa, Hanipa Maidin and Khalid Samad – the MPs for Parit Buntar, Sepang and Shah Alam respectively – in a joint press conference in Parliament lobby today expressed concern on the fatwa which was recently gazetted.

Mujahid said that the authorities needed to give a proper explanation on the fatwa as the definitions of liberalism and pruralism were not explained.
"Studies needed to be made on the implications of this fatwa," he added.
Muhajid asked Mais not to rush into any decision without a muzakarah (meeting) with those involved so that there is space to correct any misunderstanding.
The fatwa was gazetted last July 31, under Section 111 of the Islamic Administration Enactment (Selangor) 2003.
It provides for any publication deemed "liberal and plural" to be banned and seized. In addition, it calls for any form of social media that goes against the "ajaran Islam dan hukum Syarak" to be blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Hanipa supported the call by Mujahid to have dialogue with relevant groups, saying leeway needed to be given to those affected by the fatwa.
It was recently reported that the Sisters In Islam (SIS) had filed a judicial review after the Muslim women's rights group, according to the fatwa, was deemed to be deviating from Islam as they subscribe to "religious liberalism and pluralism".