Muslims groups fearful of Halloween

Religious groups fear Halloween will weaken the identities of Muslim youth.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslim groups are feeling a chill running down their spines over Halloween, a frivolous Western-inspired festival gaining popularity in Malaysia.

According to a report in Sinar Harian Online, Muslim residents in Negeri Sembilan have voiced their concerns over the decision of an international school to allow a celebration of Halloween with their students, including those who are Muslim.

The groups made their concerns known after spotting banners promoting the Halloween bash at the international school there.

Deputy president of Ikatan Guru Muslim Malaysia (IGMM) Mohd Azizee Hassan was reported to have denounced the celebration, saying it grossly clashed with local culture and traditions.

He said the celebration had the potential to weaken the identities of the Muslim students in the school despite the organisers giving their assurances there were no religious elements attached to the event.

He also said he feared holding such an event would “destroy” and “threaten” the faith of the school’s Muslim students.

Another group that has voiced its fears was Isma (Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia) who have urged the state authorities as well as Mains (Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council) to keep an eye on the event.

In the US and other Western countries, Halloween is celebrated on October 31 by kids who go “trick or treating” in their neighbourhoods asking for sweets and chocolates while adults have costume parties and decorate their homes with lighted pumpkins.

In Malaysia, Halloween is simply a means to get together socially. Following the tradition overseas, guests usually dress up in costumes of all kinds and meet over dinner and drinks at each other homes or at clubs.

As in the US, Halloween carries absolutely no religious undertones here either.