KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 ― After kickstarting a campaign to can the annual Oktoberfest beer festival here, a Muslim group is today trying to do the same to the privately-held Malaysia Wine Fiesta 2014.

The group, which calls itself Rakyat Malaysia Tolak Konsert Liar ― or “Malaysians Against Wild Concerts” in Malay ― on its Facebook page, hit out at the organisers of the wine festival after one of its Muslim Facebook administrators received an email invitation to the event.

“You always argue that these events are only for non-Muslims, but their promotions are overboard,” the Muslim group complained on its Facebook page, which now has over 4,000 likes.

The group also posted a list of entertainment events that it describes as “wild” and condemns them daily.

“Not only does it say ‘Malaysia’, but also ‘biggest’, and it is held ‘outdoors’ too,” the group said of the wine event’s tagline, “Malaysia’s biggest outdoor wine fair”.

However, an advertisement on the wine fest made it clear the event was restricted. Participants are required to shell out RM83 for a one-day pass as a condition for entry.

The Malaysia Wine Fiesta will be held on November 1 and 2 at restaurant Ben’s in the Publika shopping centre in the national capital.

It is organised by wine distributor Straits Wine Company Sdn Bhd, and is supported by food and drinks operator The Big Group and its outlets Ben’s and Beast, in addition to Vintec, a company supplying wine cabinets and cellars.

On its poster, the event promises that participants can taste over 100 varieties of wines, attend over 10 wine masterclasses, and meet over 20 wineries.

Muslim groups including controversial Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) have taken aim at Oktoberfest this month, claiming the event will tarnish Malaysia’s image as an “Islamic country” and “bring ruin” to the nation.

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, which is forbidden to Muslims, 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.