PETALING JAYA: Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh has advised against the boycott of convenience store chain KK Mart, stating that the boycott goes against the Islamic principles of justice.
Astro Awani reported that the Perak Mufti believes that his statement was his responsibility to convey as commanded in verse 58 of Surah An-Nisaa, in the al-Quran.
He added that he could only speak up on the issue now as he had to do research on the matter and factor in current developments.
Wan Zahidi said the element of purposefully insulting Islam could not be proven through ‘syahadah’ or direct evidence.
“It can only be proven with a confession or through ‘qaraiunul ahwal’ - circumstantial evidence.
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“From the explanation given by the KK Mart management and their public apology regarding the incident, together with an explanation from JAKIM, it is apparent that the existence of ‘alqasdul jinaein’ (criminal intent) cannot be proven.
“Therefore under the Islamic judicial method, the accusation against the KK Mart management insulting Islam is not proven,” he said.
Wan Zahidi added that as the topic of boycotting the convenience store chain and handling it had strayed from the principles of Islamic justice after many “sensationalised” it by spreading anger and hate.
“Verse 8 of Surah Al-Ma’idah emphasizes upholding justice for all races, whether we like it or not.
“While in Surah An-Nisa verse 58, the command to uphold justice is preceded by the command to entrust to those who deserve it. This implies that justice is a trust that must be delivered to anyone deserving, regardless of race,“ he added.
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Wan Zahidi said that he was ready to face any criticisms if his statement has stirred up any dissatisfaction among other Muslims.
Umno Youth chief Muhammad Akmal Saleh called for Muslims in the country to boycott KK Mart earlier in March following the sale of the socks with Allah inscribed on them found in the convenience store chain’s Bandar Sunway outlet.
Not only that, the convenience store chain was also a targeted where molotov cocktails were flung into two outlets located in Pahang, Perak and Sarawak.
Since then, KK Mart founder Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan has apologised to the Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar regarding the Allah socks issue.
Akmal Saleh was also called to speak with the Agong on his boycott campaign against KK Mart on April 9 and pledged to heed to the Agong’s decree to “embrace peace, harmony as well as preserve the sanctity of Islam.”
