KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 ― Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) today called on the authorities to shut down the annual Oktoberfest beer festival, claiming the event will tarnish Malaysia’s image as an “Islamic country”.
Isma adds its voice to a chorus of Muslim groups already calling for the German beer festival held in the month of October to be scrapped in Malaysia, largely for the same reasons.
In two articles on its website today, Isma warned that alcohol causes social ills, citing a case of incest in which a drunk woman was raped by her son.
“It is inappropriate when there are some parties in Malaysia who organise beer festivals while at the same time hold religious activities,” said Sharipuddin Ab Kadir, a cleric who heads Isma’s Ulama Council (MUIS).
Allowing Oktoberfest opposes Malaysia’s fame throughout the Muslim world for its leading role in education, economy, and culture, he said.
“Malaysia is also the referral point and the place to get help for other occupied and oppressed Muslim countries such as Palestine and others,” he added.
Meanwhile, the chief of Isma’s Family and Society Bureau (BKM) Norlida Kamaruddin suggested that alcohol is guilty for a host of ills, including violence, drunk driving, vandalism, and pollutiion, in addition to destabilising families and society.
“Families with alcohol addicts are never at peace. There are squabbles, misunderstandings and indecent acts. Worse when it causes illicit sex and gruesome murder,” said Norlida, citing a specific crime.
“Therefore, a developing and advanced country should not give an opportunity for a negative practice like this to happen freely.”
Muslim groups have started taking aim at Oktoberfest yesterday, starting an online campaign opposing the month-long celebration they claim will “bring ruin” to the country.
Although the event is promoted to non-Muslims, several Muslim groups have urged their supporters to rally against the event and venues that serve alcohol as part of the festival.
Oktoberfest is held annually in Malaysia with the two biggest breweries GAB and Carlsberg holding several drinking parties in major towns nationwide.
Oktoberfest was originally celebrated in Munich, Germany to accompany horse races, but has grown into “the world’s largest funfair”, attracting millions of visitors every year.
