Monday, July 29, 2013
Fatwa Council to discuss 'Muslim women in sports' issue
The Fatwa Council will discuss the issue of Muslim women’s participation in competitive gymnastics and swimming, following complaints of double standards over the fatwa (edict) barring Muslim women from joining beauty pageants.
Sinar Harian quoted Penang Mufti Hassan Ahmad as saying that the issue will be discussed in September at the three-day National Fatwa Council committee meeting.
He said there are already guidelines on entertainment, and that these can be used to discuss the involvement of Muslim women in competitive gymnastics and swimming.
“However, we will bring up the matter to the research division first to be fleshed out, before it can be turned into a fatwa,” he was quoted as saying.
He said that the standard procedure is for the issue to undergo research by the Islamic Development Department before it is discussed further by the National Fatwa Council.
The matter was raised by a former finalist of the Miss Malaysia World 2013 pageant who had to be removed as she is Muslim, due to the fatwa barring Muslim women from participating in beauty pageants.
“Why prevent us from making the country proud? If wearing tight attire is such a sin, why not ban swimming and gymnastics, too?” Sarah Amelia Bernard had asked.
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