Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party Upset Over Judge's Ruling Against Turbaned Muslims

July 14, 2006

Source: The China Post

Wire Service: AP

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=39684

On July 14, 2006 the Associated Press reported, "Malaysia's opposition Islamic party on Friday accused a top judge of insulting Islam by ruling that a Muslim boy need not wear a turban _ as the Prophet Muhammad did _ to prove his faith. The Federal Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by three Muslim boys who unsuccessfully sued the government after their state school expelled them for refusing to remove their turbans. Federal Court Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamed said in the ruling that it isn't necessary for Muslims to do exactly as the Prophet Muhammad did... The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, said Friday that Abdul Hamid should have been more restrained in his comments as he is not an Islamic expert. 'We regret his ruling that wearing a turban is not a big thing in Islam, especially for young boys. Parts of what he said insult and belittle Islamic teachings,' PAS youth chief Salahuddin Ayub told The Associated Press. 'We want the Federal Court judgment to be reviewed. According to our religious teaching, wearing a turban is part of the Islamic way of life,' he said, adding they would lodge a police report against the judge soon."