In Malaysian Insider's article titled 'Muslims not encouraged to us 'RIP', says National Fatwa Council' is obviously with malice intentions and it was not what was correctly referred to the blog as claimed by MI.
National Fatwa Council was reported by MI to be prohibiting Muslims from using the expression “rest in peace" to condole the death of non-Muslims but in actual, such was written in the blog;
If a speech is given with the intention of allowing a religious belief that is against Islam, then it is prohibited. As if it were uttered just honor in general, then it is a must.
Upon this, Muslim Lawyers Association of Malaysia in their press statement cleared the air, duly in their researches with reference to lists of fatwas that was published by National Fatwa Council.
What concerned us is the impact given to Islam in Malaysia as non-tolerant, extremist and too dogmatic thus created further hatred against Islam and how the religion is being managed in Malaysia.
PRESS RELEASERE: INCITING HATRED AGAINST THE FATWA COUNCIL
MUSLIM LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA
PPMM condemns The Malaysiain Insider (TMI) for inciting hatred against the National Fatwa Council based on false allegation through its report dated 17th April entitled “Muslims not encouraged to use ‘RIP’, says National Fatwa Council”. Such report has caused further consternation and division between muslims and non-muslims in the country.
In the report of 17th April, TMI states: "Hours after the death of Karpal Singh, Muslims were told by the National Fatwa Council today they were not encouraged to use the phrase “Rest in Peace" (RIP) to a non-Muslim because the term had Christian connotations." Pictures of the late Mr. Karpal Singh and his wake was inserted to relate the National fatwa council decision’s to the late Mr Karpal Singh. The source was expressly stated in the article as coming from the National Fatwa Council sitehttp://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/.
Upon perusal of the website, PPMM found that there was never listed in any of the “Senarai Fatwa Malaysia” be it either at national or state level, a fatwa on this issue by the National Fatwa Council. PPMM however have found that there was an opinion issued by the bloghost dated 12 December 2013 in a question and answer column.
TMI has thus used an old non fatwa opinion to falsely accuse that the National Fatwa Council issued a statement hours after death of the late Karpal Singh. It has created much scorn against, specifically, the National Fatwa Council and, in general, the Muslims, in the social media.
After causing much dissension among the public with its inaccurate report, TMI then amended its original report without a separate public notice and apology. They did this by amending the original article hiding their inciteful remarks. Those who have read the earlier report would not know it’s been amended unless one refers back to the previous article. Even then they would not be able to determine the original wordings as it has been deleted. TMI claimed that they have amended to correct the wrongful implication.
This is indeed an unethical manner of amending the article. The amendment changed the tone and premise of the article. The editor justification was also dishonest. The original article clearly with the picture and wordings put the blame on the National Fatwa Council and not by way of implication.
PPMM highly condemns this unethical dishonest reporting of TMI in inciting hatred not only against the National Fatwa Council but also against the Muslims in general.
Dato Haji Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar
President
Muslim Lawyers Association of MalaysiaDate: 21st April 2014
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