Lawyers, Islamic leaders, and secular groups in Malaysia are raising concerns about the Mufti Bill 2024 that could impose rigid Sunni orthodoxy on Muslims and jeopardize the country’s diverse culture.
The bill aims to empower muftis to issue legally binding fatwas, without parliamentary oversight, based on the Shafie school of Sunni Islam. This move has sparked fears of infringing on the religious rights of Muslims who follow other sects.
Backed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the bill is set for debate next week, prompting a coalition of NGOs to denounce the proposal as unconstitutional. They argue that it undermines Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy, government, and secular parliamentary democracy.
This contentious bill has stirred a debate on the balance between religious authority and state governance in Malaysia, highlighting the delicate relationship between Islam and multiculturalism in the country.