Islamist group protests against Valentine’s Day play

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 14 Feb 2019 10:54PM · 7 Comments

ABOUT a dozen activists from Islamist group Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang staged a protest outside the Penang Performing Arts Centre (penangpac) at Straits Quay tonight where the play Love in Georgetown City was on tonight.

The play, by local director and playwright Fa Abdul, was originally titled Sex in Georgetown City, which attracted criticism on social media. 

The group’s chairman Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin slammed the production, its playwright and the theatre, accusing them having a hidden agenda. 

“Their ‘art’ is aimed at disrespecting the position of Islam as the state religion. 

“In the past, penangpac also wanted to screen a gay movie that they considered to be art,” he said outside the theatre. 

Hafiz accused the production and theatre of promoting free sex and the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) lifestyle through their art. 

He also accused Fa of being an advocate for unnatural sex, which was prevalent in the West. 

He said she had originally titled her play Sex in Georgetown City specifically to upset Muslims. 

Hafiz said they had also lodged a police report over the play. 

Also present was Jaringan Melayu Malaysia president Azwanddin Hamzah. 

Special branch policemen in plainclothes were also seen monitoring the protest. 

Meanwhile, penangpac publicity manager Alexander Ooi said the group’s claims were untrue and that Fa had already given an explaination on the play. 

Earlier this week, Fa had said she never meant to offend religious or cultural sensitivities through her play, comprising 10 eight-minute skits aimed at educating the public on social issues through entertainment.

She had said the skits addressed social issues like inter-racial relationships, racism, paedophilia and infidelity. 

“They are not deviant nor exploitative, instead they reflect our challenges and cultural idiosyncrasies,” she had said.

Today’s show was sold out as well as tomorrow’s showings. The play runs until Sunday. – February 14, 2019.

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Comments

  • What a bunch of idiots!

    Posted 7 years ago by Leong Hong · Reply

  • Just go for a wank

    Posted 7 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • Bunch of wankers

    Posted 7 years ago by Tan Kenny · Reply

  • Stop harassing people. First go home and reflect on your religiosity and repent.

    Posted 7 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • All these retards are using Islam as intimidation on progress. No body is disrespecting any religion. No religon condone immoral activities. I believe it is a theatrical satire where no body is f@#king on the stage. For God sake grow up and stop your idiotic rants. Go home to read more and pray sincerely for the good and greater Malaysia.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • If the Government does not arrest such forms of harassment, we might as well change the countrys name to Malaysiatan

    Posted 7 years ago by Vincent Chan · Reply

  • Everyday we witness the stupidities surface, and it is alarming that most of these stupids came from 1 group of people. The afterlife perverts.

    Posted 7 years ago by Butter Scotch · Reply