Circus in the fasting month should be continued - PAS
Selangor Daily | 25 September 2007
ORIENTAL DAILY — PAS defended the rights of the non Muslims said the Supreme Secretary for PAS Dato' Kamaruddin Jaafar, MPSJ illicit the London Circus show in Ramadan month is an action that oppressed the rights of the non Muslims.
"MPSJ's decision should be intended for Muslims only and not seize the rights of the Non Muslims, Non Muslims should not be limited. There must be certain parties that think Non Muslims should be stopped from seeing entertainment activity like the circus."
Kamaruddin suggested that circus show could be present in Ramadan, but with rules not to let the Muslims in.
Kamaruddin said that when asked to comment about MPSJ's incident to impose the entertainment activity with the reason of the fasting month and refuses to give the permit to London Circus.
MPSJ's action besides causing losses to the circus, also caused difficulty to the public who had booked the ticket.
According to Kamaruddin, in religion's point of view, MPSJ's decision is not dissent with religion, because Ramadan is a holy month, entertainment activity which are not do not have educational or health element should be banned, except the healthy one only.
"Circus is not an immoral entertainment activity, but in the eyes of Islam, Muslim should put religious activity in upper level."
Kamaruddin also enquired why the circus was banned? When other entertainment like karaoke, night clubs and video game should also be banished too.
"Before MPSJ authorized a permit, they should explain the ruling like the prohibition during the fasting month, so that there will be no misunderstanding."
When responding to questions that the worry from the non Muslim community in Malaysia about the tilt towards Islamic foundation lately, Kamaruddin said he understood the worries of the non Muslim, and the worries are rational.
"The government should take steps to prove and give assurance to the non Muslims that they will not be forced to follow the Islamic foundation."
Kamaruddin did not deny that the competition between PAS and UMNO is the cause where the implementation foundation that is leaning towards Islam.
"For PAS, our stand is clear, that is not to put aside Islam, whereas UMNO is trying to use Islam Hadari to bring in a new concept."
Meanwhile, when contacted by Oriental Daily, MPSJ's Communication Officer said that in general MPSJ will not approve any type of entertainment including circus and funfair that is located in the rural area.
He said, London Circus had actually received an official permit for a month, that is from the 8th of August 2007 till 12th September 2007.
"But because the date had expired, any delay for the permit is not approved."
