KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 ― A PAS Youth leader defended today conservative Muslim concerns over a recent controversial dog-petting campaign in Selangor, amid conflicting views from Islamic scholars.

Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusof argued that opposition towards the animal awareness campaign that gave Malay Muslims here chance to touch the pooches for the first time last Sunday, was not born from “paranoia” but from a sense of responsibility to “preserve the sanctity of Islam and harmony within a plural society”.

“Our concerns are with basis. Previously there was the organisation of 'Topless Friday' followed by 'Oktoberfest', then 'I Want to Touch a Dog', we worry that there will next be a 'Sex & Condom'campaign with the rationale of 'safe sex' to ostensibly prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS,” the Federal Territory PAS Youth deputy chief said in a statement.

Nurul Islam also urged Muslims to raise their understanding of Islamic knowledge within themselves, their families and their communities so as not to be swayed by such campaigns.

The “I Want to Touch a Dog” campaign held at the Central Park in Bandar Utama, Selangor last Sunday, drew nearly 200 volunteers and dog owners. It is the latest in a series of events that have divided Muslims.

In Malaysia, the dog is regarded as culturally taboo and forbidden to Malays and Mulims.

Several senior Islamic clerics, notably Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Othman, Selangor Mufti Datuk Tamyes Abdul Wahid and Johor Islamic Religious Council advisor Datuk Nooh Gadut, have said Muslims are forbidden from touching dogs as the animals are considered “unclean” according to the Shafi'e teachings as practised in the country.

However, former Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul, held a differing view, saying in a recent posting on his Facebook page that Islam allowed Muslims to keep dogs for hunting and protecting purposes, which meant that adherents were not forbidden from touching the animals.

The country's foremost Islamic religious authority has said it will investigate the event and call up the organiser, Syed Azmi Alhabshi for questioning.