Malaysia Muslim group calls to cancel New Year parties
A Muslim group in Malaysia has urged the government to cancel all New Year’s Day celebrations, saying that such festivities reflect “Jewish” culture more than Islamic living.
Datuk Mustapha Idrus, president of the Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam), was reported by Malay daily Sinar Harian on December 29 as saying that celebrating New Year’s Day would cause Muslim youth “to commit sin”.
“The celebrations will have excessive entertainment, which can cause the majority of Muslim youth to let their guard down and commit a lot of sin,” Mustapha was quoted as saying.
“It is not just a matter of culture, but it is also time for the government to save money, seeing that the cost of living is going up. The government needs to look at the necessity of such events. Celebrating New Year’s Day alone will cost millions of ringgit,” he added.
Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Hassan Ahmad also reportedly said that it was better to celebrate the new year next week the Islamic way, rather than the “Western” method.
“It would be great if we could celebrate the new year by having religious speeches, prayers and Yassin recitals, so that our youth will not be attracted to inappropriate cultures,” he was quoted as saying.
“I’m certain that if we celebrate the Islamic way, we’ll definitely be able to reduce the social ills that are associated with New Year’s Day revelry. Maybe there won’t be any more drunken celebrations,” added Hassan.
UMNO Youth information chief Jamawi Jaafar similarly said that it was better to pray, instead of celebrating 2014 with concerts and fireworks shows.
“Let us pray together for the country to be more peaceful and to be safe from natural disasters in 2014 and in the years to come. For non-Muslims, why don’t you pray at your own places of worship?” Jamawi was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“By cancelling New Year’s Day celebrations, the police can take stern action against individuals who plan to rally for whatever reason. We must defend the safety of Malaysians,” he added.
A Muslim group in Malaysia has urged the government to cancel all New Year’s Day celebrations, saying that such festivities reflect “Jewish” culture more than Islamic living. Datuk Mustapha Idrus, president of the Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam), was reported by Malay daily Sinar Harian on December 29 as saying that celebrating New Year’s Day would cause Muslim youth "to commit sin". “The celebrations will have excessive entertainment, which can cause the majority of Muslim youth to let their guard down and commit a lot of sin,” Mustapha was quoted as saying. “It is not just a matter...
A Muslim group in Malaysia has urged the government to cancel all New Year’s Day celebrations, saying that such festivities reflect “Jewish” culture more than Islamic living.
Datuk Mustapha Idrus, president of the Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam), was reported by Malay daily Sinar Harian on December 29 as saying that celebrating New Year’s Day would cause Muslim youth “to commit sin”.
“The celebrations will have excessive entertainment, which can cause the majority of Muslim youth to let their guard down and commit a lot of sin,” Mustapha was quoted as saying.
“It is not just a matter of culture, but it is also time for the government to save money, seeing that the cost of living is going up. The government needs to look at the necessity of such events. Celebrating New Year’s Day alone will cost millions of ringgit,” he added.
Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Hassan Ahmad also reportedly said that it was better to celebrate the new year next week the Islamic way, rather than the “Western” method.
“It would be great if we could celebrate the new year by having religious speeches, prayers and Yassin recitals, so that our youth will not be attracted to inappropriate cultures,” he was quoted as saying.
“I’m certain that if we celebrate the Islamic way, we’ll definitely be able to reduce the social ills that are associated with New Year’s Day revelry. Maybe there won’t be any more drunken celebrations,” added Hassan.
UMNO Youth information chief Jamawi Jaafar similarly said that it was better to pray, instead of celebrating 2014 with concerts and fireworks shows.
“Let us pray together for the country to be more peaceful and to be safe from natural disasters in 2014 and in the years to come. For non-Muslims, why don’t you pray at your own places of worship?” Jamawi was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“By cancelling New Year’s Day celebrations, the police can take stern action against individuals who plan to rally for whatever reason. We must defend the safety of Malaysians,” he added.
