'Correcting' the court

'Correcting' the court

If the court has erred, corrections must be carried out.

We respect human rights and freedom but when it comes to Islamic rules, it cannot be given a place above religion. And for that, our 'ulama' and Muslim scholars must act fast before Islamic law is 'altered and amended' by what is termed as 'liberalists'.

I concur with Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin that the Court of Appeal's ruling on transgenders should be reviewed.

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government respected the Court of Appeal's (COA) decision declaring that the Negeri Sembilan Islamic religious enactment barring cross-dressing by Muslim men contravened the Federal Constitution but was of the opinion that it should be reviewed.
The Deputy Prime Minister said, although he was not an expert in the matter, he felt the decision should be reviewed because of its huge implications to society.
"It is an extraordinary decision even though it is decided by the court. I read the statements of Islamic leaders such as muftis and the association representing Muslim lawyers who were surprised by decision," he told reporters here today.
In light of this, he said the Attorney-General's Chambers and state Islamic religious authorities should appeal the decision.
The Appeals Court on Friday decided that the Negeri Sembilan syariah law which provided punishment for Muslim men dressed in women's clothes in public as flouting the Federal Constitution. 
Judge Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, who led a three-judge panel, delivered the judgement after allowing an appeal by three men who worked as Mak Andam (beauticians) to set aside a decision by the High Court in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan which rejected their judicial review application to challenge the syariah law.

Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom also suggested that state Islamic authorities appeal the decision.

He said this was necessary to safeguard Islam, besides it involved the integrity of state Islamic authorities.
"It is also to show the firmness of state Islamic authorities in curtailing lesbianism, gay, bisexual and transgender leanings among Muslims," he said in a statement.

And in IPOH, Perak Mufti Dr Harussani Zakaria described the landmark Court of Appeal ruling that transgenders will now no longer be punished for cross-dressing as going against Allah’s teachings.

Calling for the ruling to be overturned, Harussani said the appellate court had ‘legitimised’ a forbidden act which will inevitably lead to confusion among Muslims.

“It is the will and law of Islam. It is not in our culture to legitimise something at one's whim and fancy. It is forbidden for a man to dress as a woman.
"I am very sad, these laws were enacted to protect Muslims from violating the Shariah law. But now it is viewed as being legal.
"This ruling will allow people, particularly Muslims to sin freely and violate the Shariah law without fear. Let’s not invoke catastrophe," said Harussani, when met at his office Friday.