Datuk Seri Harussani - If they do not want to follow, we can't do anything. We are not the ones ruling the country.

The ulama’s call for the Government to review practices such as "Kongsi Raya" celebrations and open house to check the erosion of the faith of Muslims has sparked an interesting debate(see Saturday's post). Most of us has called for more light to be shed on the issue. In the following interview from the New Sunday Times Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria, chairman of the working committee of the Ulama Conference 2006, tells M. Husairy Othman why the practices contradict the syarak law.

Q:What did you actually say in your speech at the close of the Ulama Conference 2006 in Ipoh on Tuesday?

A: I relayed the collective decision reached by the National Fatwa Council that Muslims cannot conspire or join in the celebration of the festivals of other religions. They can only celebrate Islamic festivities.

Q: Is it all right for Muslims to visit their non-Muslim friends during such festivals?

A: Yes, but not for the purpose of celebrating that particular day.

Since we have a multi-racial population and live next to each other in the same neighbourhood (it is permissible for Muslims) to attend functions which we have been invited to. We are merely fulfilling the invitation, not celebrating the festival.

Q: What about open house held at state and national levels? Is it "haram"?

A: Yes. This should not be nationalised. Even in China, it (Chinese New Year) has not been nationalised. In several (Christian) countries abroad, it (Christmas) has not been nationalised.

If the Prime Minister or Menteri Besar wants to hold open house during Hari Raya, it should not be a problem. When our (non-Muslim) neighbours hold open house, we can go on the basis of friendship.

Q: What about Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim’s statement that national-level open house is good for society in line with efforts to promote Bangsa Malaysia?

A: We can promote Bangsa Malaysia in other ways such as during the National Day celebrations. Invite all Malaysians to come on that day and make the pledge to protect and defend the country.

But then again, on that day, the majority of the crowd on the field at midnight are mostly Malays and the same goes for those seen at the field the next morning.

All should attend, but what we have seen are only Malays. Others do not celebrate apart from those holding high ranks or posts.

This is quite disappointing. Why are we so adamant in celebrating the festivals of others when they do not do the same?

Q: What about Dr Rais’ statement that ulama should make an official statement to the Government on the matter and substantiate their views with concrete findings?

A: We have handed over our findings (on the "Kongsi Raya" and open house issues) to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) back in 2004 to be forwarded to the Government, but this was not done.

We reached the decision collectively, it was not my decision. You can see for yourself that during national-level Christmas or Chinese New Year celebrations, 80 per cent of the crowd were Malays. It would seem that only the Malays are celebrating these festivals.

Q: Can you comment on the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that "Kongsi Raya" functions will not erode the faith of Muslims?

A: Hopefully, (those who) talk about akidah (faith) are well versed in such areas. Even during Prophet Muhammad’s time, God had already made it clear that there are only two celebrations for Muslims — Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Korban.

If we were to add to this, it would mean that we have added on to our syariat (Islamic law), which is "haram".

Hence, not everyone should talk about faith or belief. One should do so only when it is supported by the relevant nas (quotations from the Quran).

We are talking based on fatwa (Islamic ruling) issued since the time of Saidina Umar Al-Khattab.

The question is: to accommodate all this, should we gamble away our akidah? Islam has never forbidden us to mix with those of other religions, we can do so provided we don’t gamble away our akidah.

Q: What about Dr Rais’ statement that the call for these celebrations to be reviewed was not based on academic or religious research, but on sentiment?

A: We based our findings on Islamic laws, not on sentiment. I do not have any interest but my responsibility.

Our responsibility is to explain akidah to the public. We did not talk according to our nafsu (desires) but based on concrete reasons and studies which have been made and practised since the time of Prophet Muhammad’s friends.

Q: Isn’t this ruling against racial harmony?

A: Islam has never asked us to make enemies. Have we ever forbidden anyone from going to temples?

It is "haram" in Islam for Muslims to prevent others from practising their religious beliefs. It is even "haram" to mock them.

Q: Dr Rais’ ministry will continue carrying out such celebrations. What do you have to say about this?

A: It is up to him. We have already stated the truth and we have advised Muslims against (attending) them.

Q: What if the Government rejects the findings?

A: It’s up to them. Many Muslims have rejected (the truth). For instance, there are those who consume alcohol knowing full well that it is "haram" to do so.

Q: What would the next step be then for the National Fatwa Council?

A: What can we do? We only give advice. If they do not want to follow, we can't do anything. We are not the ones ruling the country.

Q: Can Muslims hold open house during Hari Raya and invite non-Muslims over?

A: Yes. We are merely inviting them over for food and drinks. The first person to come to my house during Hari Raya after prayers would be my neighbour who is an Indian.

Q: Can Muslims give ang pow or presents to the children of their hosts during such visits?

A: No. That would mean that you are sharing their celebration. It is all right if they give your children ang pow or presents as you are the guests.

It is also all right for you to give their children duit raya of say RM2 or RM3 when they come over to your house during Hari Raya.

Q: Is not giving duit raya haram as you would be emulating the customs or traditions of the Chinese. After all we are not supposed to "share"?

A: No. This does not concern religion. It is just to make the children happy.

Q: If Umno, a Muslim party, decides to hold only Hari Raya open house at state and national levels, will this be all right?

A: There’s no need for it. The Menteri Besar’s open house would suffice.

There’s no need to hold at national level. The Prime Minister’s open house is attended by people of all races and religion.

Let the Chinese organise their own open house and the Indians organise theirs. There’s no need to hold it at state or national level.

Q: Let’s say that Hari Raya and Deepavali fall on the same day. Is it wrong for the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) as a Muslim and the Works Minister (Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu) as a Hindu to hold a joint open house?

A: Yes. It would still be considered as kongsi or sharing the celebration of other religions.