Quit disgraceful act of spying on ‘errant’ Muslims

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 23 May 2019 4:01PM · 4 Comments

SISTERS in Islam (SIS) is outraged to learn that Segamat Municipal Council (MPS) officers have resorted to disguising themselves as food stall operators, cooks and waiters in an effort to spy on Muslims who are not fasting.

This move not only represents a breach of trust by stalls under the council’s supervision, but is also an outright misuse of public funds. We would like to emphasise that it is not the responsibility of local councils to become religious police. This act represents the council’s blatant misplaced priorities, when it should be focusing instead on upholding the welfare and dignity of all people it serves, and those who are in need.

This action by MPS is shameful and gives the wrong impression of Islam in the eyes of both Muslims and people of other faiths.

The council’s sinister strategy of planting “dark-skinned” officers, and taking photos of Muslims buying food and eating in public goes directly against the Quran, which tells us to avoid suspicion and not to spy on each other (49:12).

The council and religious department should, instead, uphold the spirit of empathy and kindness during the month of Ramadan by encouraging the public to be understanding towards the many Muslims who do not fast for various reasons. The council must also take into consideration that many people are involved in heavy, manual work, have health conditions, such as diabetes and other chronic diseases, are breastfeeding, or do not fast because of their age.

We are disappointed that MPS and the religious department have opted to take a punitive measure when there is a compassionate way of encouraging Muslims to fast, thus, they are tarnishing Islam’s image. We demand that all parties cease this disgraceful act of spying on people. – May 23, 2019.

* SIS is a civil society organisation that works towards advancing the rights of Muslim women in Malaysia within the framework of Islam, universal human rights principles, constitutional guarantees, as well as the lived realities and experiences of women.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • You give them the power now to control the rakyat, they will eventually become Taliban dictators.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply

  • It is down to the individual to fast or not, Its between him/her and God.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lan Lan · Reply

  • Just PROVED how grossly bloated our civil service is!

    Even with shortened working hours during Ramadan, they can still find time to indulge in nonsensical actions!

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • What an ingenious way of earning double income? Work with the town council full time and during Ramadan operate a food stall. Use Islam as a cover up. Who cares whether it harms the good name of the religion.

    Posted 7 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply