PETALING JAYA, July 27 — The growing number of challenges to Islamic canon may ultimately lead to disrespect of the law, the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI) director has warned in the wake of the latest dispute over the right of Muslim women to take part in beauty pageants.

The recent spotlight on Islamic decrees by Malaysian authorities on its followers as well as non-Muslims has drawn much debate over their enforcement here, with some groups deeming certain provisions under religious law to be regressive while others voice concern over a worrying trend of overt Islamisation in a multicultural country.

But according to JAWI’s Datuk Che Mat Che Ali, such questions on Islamic law, from both non-Muslims and Muslims alike, can be seen as challenges to authority, which he appears to suggest may prove detrimental to the law and order of society in the long run.

“One by one Islamic laws are being challenged today. Muslims are being arbitrarily challenged. I am quite sad and disappointed because there are Muslims themselves who challenge. Challenging each other in Islam, challenging the authorities,” Che Mat was quoted as saying by Malay daily Sinar Harian.

The JAWI director was asked to weigh in on the recent controversy surrounding four Muslim contestants dropped from the Miss Malaysia World 2013 beauty pageant who are now the subject of a religious investigation for breaching the National Fatwa Council’s edict and allegedly insulting Islam.

The council had issued an edict in 1996 prohibiting Muslim women from taking part in beauty pageants, and the fatwa was gazetted as law, making it an offence punishable with a three-year jail term or a RM3,000 fine or both.

According to Che Mat, the council’s decision cannot be disputed, therefore any statement made must take into account the decision made by the muftis and must be respected.

“I worry that this challenge, whether or not it is between non-Muslims and Muslims or between Muslims and Muslims will ultimately create a situation where people no longer respect the law,” he told Sinar Harian.

Che Mat warned that stern action would be taken against those who continued to flout Islamic law and allowed the four Muslim women back, after several news media reported yesterday the possibility of the disqualified hopefuls being let into the beauty queen race on August 2.

“If they continue taking part in this competition, they can be deemed to have violated section 9 of the same Act, at once insulting the authorities, refusing, breaching and insulting the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Action will be taken against those who mock the fatwa, who participate in the competition,” he was quoted as saying.

Che Mat said his department had opened an investigation on the four and they had been called to the Syarie prosecutor’s office as well.

He added that the investigations were expected to be completed before the Aidilfitri celebration, and any decision regarding the four Muslim women would be made only after Aidilfitri, which is likely to fall on August 8.