Social media users say Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria should not stop Muslims from such events, suggesting he should talk about corruption and abuse instead.
KUALA LUMPUR: Social media users have criticised Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria for saying Muslims are forbidden from participating in candlelight vigils for non-Muslims.
The state religious leader made his comments yesterday, in reference to reports of Muslims joining a candlelight vigil held in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday in memory of K-pop star Kim Jong Hyun, from the group SHINee, who had committed suicide on Dec 18.
Harussani was reported to have said that such an activity was against Islamic teachings and akin to “glorifying” Kim’s death and questioned why Muslims should pray for a non-Muslim like Kim.
Facebook user Ravindran Karuppiah, wrote: “Why not preach about forgiveness, love thy friend or fellow human,” he said.
“Yarabbi, let it be la. As long as they did not prostrate before the K-pop star then its okay. It is a natural human reaction and sometimes we are so carried away with trying to be perfect that we forget to be humans,” said Adeam Adam.
A user named Rashid Yusof also commented on Facebook, saying: “They just look for other issues that involve one or two Muslims, (while) the Felda robbers, politicians robbing money of those intending to go for their pilgrimage, these things the mufti turn a blind eye and deaf ear.”
Vincent Chooi said, “Please have some respect for the dead. When someone dies we pay our respects to him at the wake no matter what race or religion he belongs. Whether he goes to heaven or hell that’s God’s decision not yours.”
Other users shared similar sentiments while some tried to make sense of the mufti’s advice.
On Thursday night, nearly 200 SHINee fans gathered near Kuala Lumpur’s Masjid Jamek to pay tribute to Kim with speeches, balloons and candles.
The Asian Correspondent reported that the street tribute went on for about 90 minutes before police stepped in and politely asked the crowd to disperse as the public assembly was held without a permit.
Kim, 27, died in a hospital on Dec 18 after he was found unconscious inside a serviced residence in Seoul.
A coal briquette was burning on a frying pan – a common method of suicide in South Korea, which has one of the world’s highest suicide rates.
News reports said a note believed to have been sent by him to a friend spoke of his struggles with depression and fame.
It said he was “broken from the inside” and that “the life of fame was never meant for me”. -FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.