Author:
Publication: Malaysia Kini
Date: October 12, 2006
URL: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/58029
A top finance industry official has drawn
fire after reportedly forbidding Muslims from delivering Hindu festive greetings
to ethnic Indians. Fauzi Mustaffar, head of the Islamic law department at
insurance company Takaful Malaysia, issued the warning to the staff ahead
of this month's Deepavali festival, the Star Daily reported. He said that
because the festival involved the worship of Hindu Deities, issuing greetings
was like practicing polytheism and against the tenets of Islam. "Muslims
who have inadvertently wished Hindus a happy Deepavali, happy Durga Puja or
happy Lakshmi Puja must immediately repent and not repeat it in the future,"
he was quoted as saying in an internal email.
But Abdullah Mohamad Zin, from the prime minister's
department, blasted Fauzi, saying pleasantries were important for racial harmony.
"He has no authority to say Muslims shouldn't wish Hindus (well) because
that is like a fatwa (edict)," Abdullah was quoted as saying, adding
that only government Islamic bodies could issue fatwas. "Just because
you wish someone happy Deepavali does not mean that you have embraced his
beliefs and religion," said Abdullah, who oversees religious affairs.
"In a multi-religious and multicultural country like ours, it is important
to live in harmony and be nice to one another," he added.
