Malaysian Islamic scholar denies saying Muslims are forbidden from patronising non-Muslim hair salons

GEORGE TOWN — The Islamic scholar who is in the spotlight for asking Muslims not to get haircuts from non-Muslims has denied using the word “haram” (forbidden by Islamic law) to make his point, despite being recorded saying it in a video clip.

Mr Shahul Hamid Seeni Muhammad said that in the video footage uploaded two years ago, he was answering a question about Muslim men getting a haircut in a “kafir” (infidel) salon.

“If you watch the video carefully, I only said that while there is no dalil (Quranic and Hadith verses) that prohi­bits a man to hold the hair of another, it is better for a Muslim man wanting a haircut to patronise a shop operated by Muslims to help them in the economy,” a report on The Star Online on Thursday (Oct 19) quoted the Penang religious teacher as saying.

Mr Shahul said that he had made a police report against a website for saying that he used the word haram. He also expressed worry that the products used in non-Muslim hairdressing shops might not be suitable for Muslims.

In the haircut video clip, which has been viewed more than 9,000 times, Mr Shahul Hamid also said it was haram for Muslim women to go to a non-Muslim salon, as a woman’s hair was considered “aurat” (an intimate body part) and should not be exposed to non-Muslims, even if they are women.

In addition, Mr Shahul Hamid made a jab at transgenders working at salons by mimicking their voices, which he said sounded like frogs.

In response to Mr Shahul’s comments, Penang Islamic Religious Committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim urged the people in the state to disregard the Islamic scholar’s remarks.

Mr Abdul Malik said Mr Shahul’s statements were uncalled for and absurd.

“It’s in very bad taste, especially coming from a learned person like him,” The Star Online quoted Mr Abdul Malik as saying.

“The state government will not tolerate this kind of nonsense and will act accordingly to enhance and inculcate the wisdom and true teaching of Islam that promotes love, respect and harmony,” he added.

Mr Shahul’s comments are a sign of creeping conservatism in Malaysia, where critics say increasingly vocal Islamic hardliners and politicians are eroding a traditionally moderate brand of the religion.

The Malaysian police are probing Islamic preacher Zamihan Mat Zain for sedition over comments he made against the Johor sultan, although he denied criticising the ruler for condemning a Johor-based Muslim-only launderette.

At a religious lecture earlier this month in Selangor, the preacher allegedly said it was not right of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar to ban Muslim-only launderettes in his state. In comments which appeared on a video uploaded on YouTube which have since gone viral, Mr Zamihan also said non-Muslims like the Chinese are not “pure” in their toilet habits.

National police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said last week that Mr Zamihan has not been arrested, but police will call him up soon to have his statement recorded. AGENCIES