khalwat

Khalwat arrest of married couple shows JAWI spares no one, lawyer says

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

Screen capture of lawyer Yusfarizal Yussoff (right) explains why his clients are suing JAWI over a wrongful khalwat raid and arrest as well as privacy breach, from video for the MMO.

Screen capture of lawyer Yusfarizal Yussoff (right) explains why his clients are suing JAWI over a wrongful khalwat raid and arrest as well as privacy breach, from video for the MMO.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department’s (JAWI) forceful and humiliating arrest of a married couple for the Islamic offence of khalwat or close proximity could befall anyone, their lawyer Yusfarizal Yussoff said today.

He added that the Muslim husband-and-wife were pursuing justice against their wrongful detention through the courts to prevent a repeat of the Islamic authority’s power abuse, especially after they showed proof of their marriage.

The lawyer explained that his clients, Mohd Ridhuan Giman and Siti Sarah Maulad Abdullah were without their marriage certificate when they were caught in their budget hotel room by JAWI enforcers during a raid last month but presented it later the same day. Read more →

Outrage over anti-vice move

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Source: The Sundaily

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers and non-governmental organisations are outraged with a move by Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) that it may extend its anti-vice enforcement to passengers in vehicles, such as cars.

Lawyers for Liberty representative Latheefa Koya said there is no offence under syariah law for two unmarried people to be together in a room.

Also, in Malaysia the term “khalwat” (close proximity) has been misunderstood and connected to the act of adultery that requires four witnesses.

“The word ‘khalwat’ has been misinterpreted from its Arabic origin, which means ‘to be alone to contemplate’ as our Prophet Muhammad had done. Read more →

Now, Terengganu Islamic enforcers say may nab unmarried couples in cars too

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

Terengganu Religious Affairs Department said implementing the anti-vice operation dubbed Ops Bonceng for other vehicles would be different, admitting that religious officers would not be able to observe Muslims in cars. Pic from the MMO.

Terengganu Religious Affairs Department said implementing the anti-vice operation dubbed Ops Bonceng for other vehicles would be different, admitting that religious officers would not be able to observe Muslims in cars. Pic from the MMO.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — Under media spotlight for arresting unmarried Muslims couples riding motorcycles together, Terengganu Islamic authorities admitted today that it is considering extending the enforcement to passengers in other vehicles, such as cars.

Despite that, Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) said implementing the anti-vice operation dubbed Ops Bonceng for other vehicles would be different, admitting that religious officers would not be able to observe Muslims in cars.

“There are suggestions to extend [the operation] but we have to see first how Ops Bonceng is being handled,” JHEAT’s chief assistant commissioner (enforcement) Nik Zulhaiza Ismail told Malay Mail Online’s sister publication ProjekMMO. Read more →

Islamic laws manipulated for political mileage, says Siti Kasim

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Source: FMT News

Lawyer-cum-activist, Siti Kasim. Pic from FMT News.

Lawyer-cum-activist, Siti Kasim. Pic from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: Islamic laws in Malaysia have been manipulated and used as a tool by politicians interested only in obtaining political mileage, says lawyer-cum-activist Siti Kasim.

Hence, the Malays in this country should stand up and question the implementation of these laws instead of taking them lying down, she added.

“These man-made laws will affect the Malays first, and then the rest (those of other races).

“We the Malays must question these laws instead of simply accepting them as God’s law.

“Learn about Islam from those who are genuine, not from those with ulterior motives,” she told FMT. Read more →

Only the guilty will fear vice hotline, Jais chief says

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Only Muslims who have committed vice have reservations against the Selangor religious authorities’ new smartphone application, the state’s Islamic Department (Jais) director Datuk Haris Kasim said.

He told news portal Free Malaysia Today(FMT) that the app, also known as “Hotline Jais” would help curb vice activities before they happened, adding that prevention was better than treating crimes after they took place.

If he or she had done no wrong, what is there to be afraid of?

“What is there to be afraid of if you are not involved in khalwat,” Haris was quoted saying, referring to the Muslim offence of close proximity with someone of the opposite gender.

“What is there to be worried about with this application?” he asked.

According to the news report, Haris was responding to criticism that the app would encourage Muslims to spy on each other, an action frown upon in Islam. Read more →