Chetz to be called up by Jakim for “insulting Islam”

A screenshot of the clip that was allegedly made and uploaded by Maznah to YouTube. August 5, 2013.Compassion and kindness toward animals are noble acts but the YouTube clip of dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof bathing her dogs, with Islamic prayers as the background audio, is an insult to Islam, said Jakim.

This is the stand taken by the country’s top Islamic authority, which added that Maznah's actions are clearly wrong in the eyes of the religion.

"The content of the clip is blasphemous as it involves matters of worship related to heavy impurities (mughallazah),” said Datuk Othman Mustapha, the directory-general of Jakim.

Jakim came under fire from Maznah’s lawyer, Latheefa Koya, but in defending himself, Othman said Islam's view towards animals is the same as other religions except that there is a different concept on purity.

“The celebration of Hari Raya is also a form of worship but the clip does not portray that," he added.

He also questioned Maznah’s move to insert the audio of the Islamic prayer in the background.

“What she did was wrong as it was done on purpose. Moreover, it was recorded for public viewing,” Othman said.

Jakim and the state religious authority will call Maznah, or Chetz as she is popularly known, soon for an explanation and to advise her on the matter.

Maznah, 38, had caused a controversy when Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia reported a YouTube clip that was recorded three years ago which showed her celebrating Aidilfitri with her three dogs. She has denied uploading the clip to YouTube.

The clip also aired the line, “Celebrate Aidilfitri together, without prejudice toward species, colour and origin” (and including a photo of the three dogs).

Maznah was remanded by the police last week in Segamat, Johor, for two days before she was released on Friday.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government had “overreacted” with their swift action, turning it immediately into a national issue.

“They could have just called and advised her. Just call and caution. There is no need to make this a national issue,” he told a press conference at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) headquarters in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Anwar said this in response to Jakim’s decision that the clip was insulting toward Muslims.