Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) – Muslims should not wear football shirts with diabolical or religious symbols of other religions: for example the Manchester United shirts with a famous red devil. Other football shirts deemed unacceptable by the religious leaders include those of Brazil, Portugal, Serbia, Barcelona and Norway because their crests all carry images of a cross. The Johor Religious Council adviser and the Mufti of Perak both state that images of crosses, liquor brands and devils on football shirts are forbidden by Islam and should not be worn by Muslims. "There is no excuse for wearing such garments because it means, as a Muslim, you are idolising the symbol of another religion," Datuk Nooh Gadot, the Mufti of Johor, said. Muslims have been not to buy or accept such shirts as a gift. Manchester United is popular in Malaysia so much so that in 2006 an agreement was signed between the team and the Malaysian tourist authorities.
The Mufti of Perak, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, said that Muslims wearing such football shirts "leads to a path of sin" because displaying the symbol of another faith means the wearer is prioritising that faith over Islam.”. Young Malaysians have protested on social network Facebook and Twitter, some wondering jokingly whether “the Ulama were fans of Liverpool ”.
Malaysia is a country of moderate Islam but some scholars note in recent years "progressive Islamisation giving growing priority to the Shariah on the public scene”, Fides learned from Italian PIME missionary Fr. Paolo Nicelli familiar with the area. In the past Muslim leaders criticised the practice of yoga because they said it contained elements of Hinduism.
“In Malaysia there is an attempt to protect Muslims from contamination by other religions and cultures and to preserve the purity of Islam ”, Fides was told by Brother Augustine Julian FSC, secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia. On the other hand “young people tend not to follow these indications and distance themselves from religious rules”. “Western fashions and lifestyle are looked on with suspicion ”, the religious said. “Some leaders say Malaysia should become a model Muslim country in South East Asia, following the example of Saudi Arabia. Mufti have the prerogative of controlling and establishing the lawfulness of customs for Muslims and they can influence the government. Despite the fact that prescriptions do not apply to non Muslims, in the long run a mentality is created. Slowly, amidst censors and liberal twitches from society, Islamisation continues and with what outcome, we will see in the years to come”, the religious concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2010)
