Mais to appeal against ruling in 'deviant group' fatwa case

The Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) has indicated that they will appeal the Court of Appeal decision on Sisters in Islam's (SIS) legal challenge against a fatwa (edict).

According to SIS' lawyer Farhan Haziq Mohamed, Mais had told the High Court today that they intend seek leave to appeal at the Federal Court.

"At the same time they indicated they will apply for a stay of proceeding at the High Court," he told Malaysiakini.

Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the SIS' legal challenge against the fatwa, which stated that the group had deviated from the teachings of Islam by promoting "liberalism and pluralism", had to be heard by the High Court before a different judge.

This followed the High Court dismissal of their legal challenge, on grounds that the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court.

Farhan said the deputy registrar has fixed April 10 for case management.

[More to follow]

-Mkini