Of fatwa, Valentine's Day and smoking

Love is in the air ... and so is chemically-laced killer smoke. Which to be beware of, you tell me.

Sean Augustin, fz.com 

IT is that time of the year, as a fellow journalist rightly pointed out, when the knives are out for Valentine's Day.

 

Political parties or religious groups brandish the morality card and sometimes statistics of children born out of wedlock to warn the Muslim community about the evils of Valentine's Day.

 

Muslims are urged to shield their faith which could otherwise be shaken from this 'sinful', if not Christian, commercialised day.

 

Yes, though inspired by a saint, there is no religious significance to Feb 14, compared to say, Christmas Day.

 

In the past few years Malaysians have become accustomed to statements reminding Muslims to not partake in this celebration, citing a fatwa issued in 2005.

 

This year, Bernama reported, more than 300 volunteers, comprising the youth, will join a programme to make the Muslim community realise the importance of not celebrating Valentine's Day.

 

The programme, called Jerat Hari Valentine or Valentine's Day Trap, will be focussed around KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, KL Sentral, Pudu Sentral and the Putra World Trade Centre.

 

Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said that volunteers would advise and explain Valentine's Day to the Muslim community.

 

Jakim director of Family, Social and Community Division, Saimah Mokhtar, was quoted byBernama as saying she hopes parents take the ban on Valentine's Day celebration seriously as it has elements of Christianity and mixed with vices forbidden by Islam.

 

Now, I'm not here to question the fatwa. If religious leaders feel they are doing their flock a service, so be it.

 

Getting volunteers to counsel the community might be an effective way in dealing with the issue, even if one disagreed with the reasons given.

 

I do however have one question. Would Jakim use the same method to enforce - with the same fervour - a 1995 fatwa that declared smoking haram for Muslims?

 

The edict was issued based on the following reasons: cigarettes are poisonous, addictive and increases the risk of cancer.

 

The National Fatwa council also cited verses from the Quran that forbid Muslims to not harm themselves.

 

I think it would be a sight to behold, volunteers approaching and counselling smokers on the perils of lighting up.

 

Religion might be a more effective tool compared to ghastly images on a cigarette pack, as proven by similar measures taken for turtle conservation.

 

In fact back in 2002 the Malaysian Medical Association said the 1995 fatwa was 'the right step to take'.

 

Volunteers can be stationed at mamak shops, especially during an important football match, outside airports, around pasar malam and shopping malls.

 

Jakim would need to rope in more youths though, which is good as the country wants to imbue the spirit of volunteerism among the young, because unlike Valentine's Day which swings by once a year, people smoke everyday.

 

Just saying.