‘Pet-a-dog’ event had hidden, subversive meaning, says Utusan column

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — The “I Want to Touch a Dog” event had a hidden agenda which attempted to create a new culture that ultimately insults Islam, according to an opinion piece in Utusan Malaysia which quoted the Chief Director of the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) Datuk Mustapha Othman.

Mustapha was quoted as stating that the campaign has raised public concern, particularly among Muslims, because it clearly contradicts the customs of the country as the Shafie sect forbids Muslims from touching dogs intentionally.

The opinion piece said the act is the same as someone sinning on purpose but later choosing to repent.

“When the organisers of the event have a hidden agenda, their honesty is no longer there. Things like this should not be left alone. Jakim and Jais should act accordingly as mocking Islamic Law should not be allowed to occur in countries that have made Islam the religion of the Federation,” it said.

“Strangely enough, Muslims were also sponsoring the campaign and even seem proud of the controversy to holding dogs, as if they weren’t taught from small how to approach dogs,” said the author of the opinion piece.

“The former Mufti of Perlis, Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, is trying to justify it. It’s easy to understand because of the way his ‘character’ likes to stand on many controversial issues.”

“If the influence on religious liberalism is not curbed, like what is happening in Indonesia, the idea of religious pluralism (all religions are equal) will widen in Malaysia and it is a danger to the unity of the Ummah in the country,” he said.

Last Sunday, the organiser of the now notorious pet-a-dog event, Syed Azmi Alhabshi, read out a press statement apologising for any discomfort caused, maintaining that the event was meant only to help the public overcome their fear of dogs and not promote liberalism or distort Islamic teachings.

Since then, he has been the target of hate messages threatening to injure or kill him, forcing him to turn to the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for assistance.

Rumours have been spread claiming that Syed Azmi is a Christian convert or a Shiah Muslim out to spread Liberalism or alternative teachings in Malaysia.

* Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated that the Utusan Malaysia’s opinion piece was written by the Chief Director of the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) Datuk Mustapha Othman when the opinion piece only quoted Datuk Mustapha.