MP: If non-Muslims accept circumcision, they'll come around

PARLIAMENT | Several Muslim MPs today pondered aloud on why non-Muslims generally appear apprehensive of proposed amendments to the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

This happened during the motion to second Abdul Hadi Awang's (PAS-Marang) motion to amend Act 355.

One MP, however, believes that there are signs that non-Muslims are increasingly accepting of Islamic practices or principles.

Citing the example of the popularity of Islamic banking and circumcision, Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali (BN-Bagan Serai) said that if this could be accepted by non-Muslims, other aspects of Islam will be accepted eventually.

"A lot of non-Muslims use Islamic banking services (and like) its principles.

"Secondly, circumcision (among non-Muslims) is increasingly popular. Circumcision is an Islamic practice. As a doctor, I have circumcised a lot of non-Muslims.

"They don't do this to embrace Islam. They say it is because of hygiene. Therefore, our religion is clean. It is a good thing," said Noor.

He added that if these two areas were gaining acceptance among non-Muslims, he believed that other Islamic matters - alluding to Abdul Hadi's bill - would gain acceptance eventually.

Noor was among several BN MPs who interjected during Takiyuddin Hassan's (PAS-Kota Bharu) lengthy speech to second Abdul Hadi's motion.

Hudud factor

Among others, Takiyuddin pointed out that non-Muslims did not object when the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 was amended in 1984.

Khoo Soo Seang (BN-Tebrau), one of two non-Muslim MPs who interjected during Takiyuddin's speech, said at the time, the situation was different as the element of hudud law was missing.

"Now, the Syariah Criminal Offences (Hudud and Qisas) Terengganu Enactment 2003 and (Kelantan's) Syariah Criminal Code II 1993 (Amended 2015) is waiting on (Abdul Hadi's) bill, so that the laws could be implemented.

"This is what is being disputed, or forms a cause for concern, by non-Muslims. They generally feel that this is unconstitutional.

"Non-Muslims are not against Act 355 which was passed a long time ago and amended in 1984. Marang's bill suggests penalties which are too harsh, such as 30 years' jail. Kota Bharu, please elaborate," said Khoo.

Takiyuddin rebutted by stating that Malaysian law was clear - Islamic laws will not affect non-Muslims.

"Whether it is hudud or not, it has nothing to do with non-Muslims... Even if it is hudud, you've got nothing to worry about," said Takiyuddin.

He said that in the case of the Kelantan's Syariah Criminal Code II 1993, Section 2 states that the law will not be applied on non-Muslims.- Mkini