In Malaysia, Islamic religious council chair denounces caning sentence for two Muslims drunks

by: Salaam

Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 09:57:03 AM EST

Syed Abas said if caning was the approach taken, it was better for Muslims to be banned from entering nightclubs and pubs as the majority of the patrons would consume liquor anyway. 'Otherwise, thousands of Muslims will find themselves being caned for consuming liquor.'

TAWAU, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The six strokes of the cane imposed by the Pahang Syariah High Court on a Muslim man and woman caught consuming liquor is deemed too heavy by Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) chairman, Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali.

While regarding the sentence to be in effective in preventing Muslims from consuming liquor, he proposed rehabilitation instead, to educate Muslims to stay away from alcoholic drinks.

"Six strokes of the cane is too heavy a sentence. That's not the way. It's better to send those caught consuming liquor to go for rehabilitation.

"It's not easy for alcoholics to kick the bad habit, just like cigarette smokers who find it so difficult to quit smoking," he said.

Syed Abas, who is also Balung assemblyman, was asked to comment on the Pahang Syariah High Court's decision to order Mohamad Nasir Mohamad, 38, a shipping company staff from Kemaman, and waitress Noorazah Baharuddin, 22, to be given six strokes of the "syariah cane" each for consuming liquor at separate pubs in the state last year. They were also fined RM5,000 each.

Syed Abas said if caning was the approach taken, it was better for Muslims to be banned from entering nightclubs and pubs as the majority of the patrons would consume liquor anyway.

"Otherwise, thousands of Muslims will find themselves being caned for consuming liquor.

"So, it's better for them to be detained for a while to help them quit the habit," he said.

Story here.

Salaam :: In Malaysia, Islamic religious council chair denounces caning sentence for two Muslims drunks