KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Islam demands that the rights of non-Muslims are not denied even during Ramadan, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan has said.
He declined to comment on Kedah’s controversial ban on entertainment outlets during the Muslim fasting month but reminded Malaysians of all creeds to respect each other’s rights.
“The month of Ramadan is a golden month, a month of observance, a very noble and special month... but why deny the rights of other religions?” he told reporters after opening the “Al-Quran and the Challenge of Religious Pluralism” seminar here.
Nik Mustapha also said Islam required Muslims to always respect other religions especially since right to religious freedom it was enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“If on Sunday, Christians go to church... am I going to play music loudly? That is not our practice. We need to respect one another,” he said.
He said greater consensus was needed if we wished to see society embody goodwill and mutual respect, particularly in light of the current challenges facing the country.
“If there’s any difference in opinion, we can find a solution through... dialogue,” he said, but stressed that this did not mean that other religions should be seen as being equal to Islam.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak announced last week that 13 types of entertainment outlets would be banned from operating during the fasting month lasting from August 1 to 29.
The ban covered businesses such as karaoke centres and discos as well as live performances in bars, hotels and restaurants. Only cybercafés, bowling alleys and snooker centres were exempted from the ruling.
Azizan, however, then chose to limit the ban to only Muslims under pressure from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partner DAP as well as MCA and Gerakan to revoke the ban.
He said any establishment found to have flouted the ban on Muslims during Ramadan will have its operating licence revoked by the state government.
PR coalition partners PAS and DAP last locked horns in January this year over Selangor’s proposed ban on Muslims from working in premises that sell alcohol.
The Selangor government later claimed the ban was merely a guideline before withdrawing the ruling pending further study.
Following the debacle, opposition leaders have promised to consult each other on issues that could affect their pact, which has survived just over three years now.
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