IT APPEARS that despite the Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah himself insisting that the annual Japanese festival Bon Odori should be conducted as usual, the clerics seem to still have an issue with it.
Yesterday, Perlis mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin suggested that the authorities change the name of the Bon Odori festival to avoid confusion with the original festival celebrated in Japan.
The original celebration, he claimed, which contains elements of syirik (idolatry) and khurafat (superstition).
Asri added that organisers of the Bon Odori events in Malaysia should ensure that there are no religious elements in the event, in addition to removing rituals representing specific beliefs.
“If possible, the Bon Odori festival should also be given a new name or an additional name to avoid confusion with the original festival.
“For example, it can be called a ‘Japanese cultural festival’ or a ‘Japanese community festival’. By doing so, the festival can go on and arguments (regarding the festival’s controversies) can be reduced,” he was reported as saying.
However, netizens were unimpressed with him making a mountain out of a molehill and hurled brickbats at the idea.
Echoing Scala’s sentiments, user Lilian Tan added:
Netizen Lau Sook Mei retorted:
The Japanese summer festival is scheduled to be held on July 16, at Kompleks Sukan Negara in Shah Alam.
On Tuesday, Bernama reported Islamic Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad as reminding Muslims to stay away from the Japanese summer festival that has been in Malaysia for nearly 30 years, alleging that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions”.
The PAS leader also said that a study conducted by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) had confirmed the matter.
“Therefore, we are advising the Muslims not to participate in the festival or any other programmes that are against their faith and creed,” he was reported as saying.
Diverting attention
However, Sultan Sharafuddin intervened on the matter and instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to not obstruct anyone from attending it.
He also urged Idris, JAIS and MBSA to attend the festival so they could see for themselves that the event was cultural in nature.
However, it seems that PAS youth and ulama wing seem to disagree with the Ruler’s views and backed Idris instead.
“This principle is in line with several statements from muftis, religious scholars and the religious affairs minister (Idris Ahmad).
“Therefore, the claim that (Bon Odori) was strictly a cultural event does not have enough merit,” Malaysiakini reported its ulama wing chief Ahmad Yahya as saying yesterday.
On that note, several netizens opined this was just another way for the bureaucrats to divert public attention from real issues plaguing the country such as inflation and economic volatility.
Netizen Jon Ranjer remarked: “Now I understand why billions of US$ FDI are fleeing Malaysia & relocating to more accommodating countries.” – June 11, 2022
