OOM was proactive in giving advice to
Muslims on other important issues. These included advice against Muslims celebrating
Valentine’s Day, the clarification on the fatwa made by Sheikh Muhammad Syed At-Tanthawi
on Nikah Mut’ah; and clarification on the correct definition of jihad, which was
wrongly defined by the media.
Fatwas The Fatwa Committee held 12 meetings
in 1999. About 40 questions were posed to the Fatwa Committee and answered. A talk
on ‘Human Cloning’ by Dr. Liow Swee Lian, a lecturer from the National University
of Singapore, was held on 30 October at Wisma Indah with 35 participants in
attendance.
MUIS also cleared the air on the difference between salat and zakat. Advice on
donation appeals during the month of Ramadan was also readily given.
In addition, MUIS took a strong stand on legalised betting and the implications
for Muslim football players, delivering a khutbah on gambling ills in April. It
also published an article on the prohibition of gambling to educate the Muslim
public against such indulgences.
Khutbahs Religious sermons are important
for the continuous development of a strong Muslim community that is grounded
in its faith and yet confident of its future.
