Rejection of non-Muslim Syariah is apt, says Jamil Khir

SINTOK, Dec 19 — The decision by the Fatwa Committee of the National Council For Islamic Religious Affairs in not accepting the appointment of non-Muslims as Syariah lawyers is apt and should be accepted, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said.

He said that to be a Syarie lawyer, a person had to have in depth knowledge and understanding on Islam to be able to handle syariah cases properly.

The requirement was not confined to just having a degree or qualification in Islamic or syariah law, he told reporters after opening a programme organised by the Islamic Economic Development Foundation of Malaysia (Yapeim) here today.

Jamil Khir said it would create problems if non-Muslims were allowed to become syarie lawyers because action could not be taken against them if they were found to be in contempt of court as action could not be taken against them under the syariah law.

“If it is not controlled, it can stir an outrage which can undermine the syariah judicial system itself,” he added.

In another development, Jamil Khir said the government was targeting to set up Ar-Rahnu branches, which would be managed by Yapeim, in all parliamentary constituencies nationwide by 2015.

Ar-Rahnu is an Islamic-based pawn broking business.

Currently, there were 100 Ar-Rahnu branches nationwide and they not only attracted Muslims, but also non-Muslim traders, he added. — Bernama