'Revoke citizenship of Allah fatwa dissidents'

Several Islamic scholars including Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria have urged that those who question the fatwa, court decision and the Malay rulers on the ‘Allah’ matter should have their citizenship revoked.

Harussani and National Fatwa Council chairperson Abdul Shukor Hussin were quoted by Berita Harian as that saying stern action should be taken against those who question the matter.

Abdul Shukor wants the Sedition Act to be invoked against those who question the fatwa as it had been gazetted in Selangor, as he fears that if people continue to question it would result in unrest.

“Their actions clearly demonstrate they are trying to challenge the fatwa and the Selangor sultan's decree as the head of the Islamic religion and their actions would result in dissatisfaction among Muslims,” the fatwa council chairperson said.

Harussani (right) was quoted by the daily as wanting stern action including imprisonment and revoking of citizenship be taken upon those who question the decision and fatwa.

They were commenting on The Herald Catholic Weekly editor Lawrence Andrew who had said that based on Article 11 (3) of the federal constitution, each religion can manage its own affairs.

Several Malay dailies also reported that several police reports were lodged against Lawrence over this and urged him to apologise.

Meanwhile, Utusan Malaysia reported that Umno veteran secretary Mustapha Yaakob has invited Lawrence to embrace Islam if he really wants to continue to use ‘Allah’.

Mustapha said this is the best way to ensure that the priest does not create unrest among the Muslims.

“The Umno veterans are also prepared to have a ceremony for him to embrace Islam at any time,” he said.