PETALING JAYA: Animal lovers lauded the “I want to touch a dog” programme held at One Utama on Sunday but said laws relating to the touching of dogs by Muslims have to be observed.
Iskander Lazarus said programmes highlighting the awareness of dogs "is good for many but Muslims still have to abide by the National Fatwa on keeping and rearing dogs, which at the moment is prohibited."
“These are laws of the religion for Muslims, so it has to be observed. This campaign was to educate people to care for dogs that are injured or hurt.
“It is a good awareness campaign that also tells Muslims on how to cleanse themselves after caring for a dog but it is not encouraging the Muslims to go against the Fatwa,” said Iskandar.
He was responding to the event which was aimed at eliminating anxiety and negative perception of dogs, particularly among Muslims.
The programme, held for the first time, Sunday, attracted about 800 people, with half of them Muslims.
Those who came – many with children – mingled freely, touched and interacted with the four-legged stars that included a purebred sleek-haired Afghan hound, lion-maned chow chows, rescue dogs and lovable mutts.
Jaann Khann, who went with her family for the event said it was a wonderful experience and her daughter thoroughly enjoyed it.
“My family and I went to the event too. It was such a wonderful experience. My daughter touched a dog for the first time and she went all out to touch the other dogs,” she commented.
Though Hafiz Zolkepli is not a dog person he felt it was important for him as a Muslim to show up and show how compassionate Muslims are towards animals.
“I am not a dog person. I'm more of a cat guy but I felt that it was important for me as a Muslim to show up and show in the flesh, not just cakap-cakap (talk) on Facebook, that we are compassionate human beings with love for all of Allah's creations."
Amar Farid echoed his views, saying “If I could recall correctly what I learned at religious schools, bodily fluids coming from dogs are categorised as najis mughallazah and Muslim should wash the najis with soiled water and clean water."
There were also those who disagreed with the programme. Mohd Nashraf was scathing in his remarks when he said, "Since dog is from god, Muslims are expected to open up and embrace dog. Then, Hudud is from God too. Can non-Muslims open up and embrace Hudud too?"
Masliza Irwan Idruce said that Muslims can touch but to make it into a campaign is not necessary.
Mohd Nashraf said the intentions of the ustaz is good but it is not suitable in our culture.
"Should we invite nudist to conduct an event telling Malaysians not to be afraid to be naked?" commented Nashraf.
Satu Separuh Suku explained that there are few different mazhabs (doctrine) in every country and in Malaysia, the Muslims follow Syafie.
“We can touch only if it’s dry but if we touch the feces or the saliva its consider as najis so we have a method called samak to cleanse ourselves.
“We have to wash seven times with water and one time with water mix with earth (dirt, sand or clay) as long the dog is dry, we can touch it no problem, we can also take them but not as a pet but as a helper (guard dog, guide dog, hunter dog or a shepherd dog).
“So if you are wondering, some mazhab like Hanafi can have a dog as a pet but we are Syafies - The law is different,” he said.
Samuel Nesan commented that based on the programme, Malaysia’s Muslim community was showing the world that in spite of popular misconception, we Malaysians are very united and what we share in common is far greater than our differences.
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