KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — While commending Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor for her business success, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri also reminded the celebrity entrepreneur to follow Islamic tenets, saying the “ends do not make the means halal”.
In response to the ongoing storm over Neelofa’s recent launch of a new tudung or headscarf and turban range in conjunction with her birthday at Zouk here, Zulkifli said it was not wrong to do things differently, especially if it leads a person to the rightful path of God, but one must refrain from creating opportunities that would raise slander and false accusations.
“We are concerned that the recent turn of events may bring forth a new normalised phenomenon in wearing the headscarf. Anything can be done and is allowed as long as you wear the headscarf.
“This concern does not mean religion is restricting women, but it is religion that frees women from the prison that is without limit to gaining the rights to freedom Islamically,” he said in an open letter posted on his office’s website.
Zulkifli said the headscarf holds many symbolism of the wearer, including the women’s honour, the obedience of a servant toward God’s orders, a form of perfection in religion, and the dignity and morality of a Muslim woman that must be preserved with pride.
He said that while the wearer is not perfect, one must always strive to improve as wearing the headscarf is more than just covering up for modesty.
“It is a difficult task to be able to be consistent with the headscarf and at the same time maintaining well-mannered behaviour, to a point where some even refuse to wear the headscarf as they do not want to be a hypocrite.
“But changing from not covering to covering with the headscarf is not a form of hypocrisy as it would not only involve the change in self but also the change in heart in striving to reach God’s blessings,” he said.
Zulkifli had also called for the public to refrain from giving harsh criticism and create slander or embarrassment towards Neelofa as it was deemed un-Islamic, and encouraged Muslims to constructive criticism and suggestions courteously that may benefit one another.
“Hajjah Neelofa is known as a symbol of a successful Muslim woman. Not many would be able to bear the responsibility of an ‘iron lady’ and ‘a giant’ in the business industry. It has been proven, and had brought pride to Malaysia and the Islamic world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Neelofa had claimed her controversial birthday celebration and Be Lofa range launch held at Zouk Kuala Lumpur was sensationalised by those who were not present at the event, Malay daily Berita Harian reported on its website today.
She said those who had attended had known better of the actual situation on the ground, whereby the nightclub had been transformed to a product launching event space.
When contacted by her co-host Nabil Ahmad on the TV show Meletop last night, Neelofa said she was unfazed by the criticism as she knew what she was doing and added that there were no alcohol served.
Neelofa, who turned 29 on Monday, celebrated her birthday with the release of her latest Be Lofa range that comprised “Be Lofa Turban” and headscarf range, “Be Lofa Shawl”.
Her new turban line was sold out in less than 24 hours after the launch at Zouk.
