Entertainment Ban In Kedah Applies To Muslims Only - Hadi
#KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The enforcement of the #Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1997 during the month of #Ramadan by the Kedah state government only applies to #Muslims, said PAS president Datuk Seri #Abdul Hadi Awang. #archbhoo
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Malaysia U-turn on Ramadan Bar Closure,
OnIslam & News Agencies
Sunday, 17 July 2011 13:26
KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian state has reversed plans to force a closure on bars and discos during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
“For Muslims, we have to make special treatment because nowadays too many youngsters are involved in hedonism… The state doesn’t want that,” an official from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which runs the Northern Kedah state, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Kedah, which includes the popular resort island of Langkawi, decided in May to ban all entertainment during Ramadan, which is set to start next month.
But the plans drew sharp criticism from entertainment outlet operators, as well as the party’s opposition allies, who feared a blanket ban would alienate their non-Muslim voters.
The controversy was resolved after the state’s chief minister met entertainment representatives Saturday and agreed to allow them to operate as long as they make sure Muslims don't their premises.
The operators also agreed to subject their licenses to revocation should Muslims be found on their premises during Ramadan.
“Entertainment in Ramadan is only for non-Muslims,” the PAS official added.
Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks.
Ramadan is a time for prayers, so Muslims increase their efforts and time for prayers to come closer to Allah.
Aside from the regular prayers, there is the Prayer of Tarawiah after the Night Prayer.
Many Muslims also take Ramadan time as an opportunity to recite the whole of the Quran, or most of it.
The operators agreed to subject their licenses to being revoked should Muslims be found on their premises during Ramadan.
http://www.onislam.net/english/news/asia-pacific/453065-malaysia-state-cancels-ramadan-bar-closure.html
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Closure of entertainment centres, early warning for the Chinese community, says Chua
News 2011-07-16 10:46
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama)-- The closure of entertainment centres during the month of Ramadan by the PAS-led Kedah government is an early warning to the Chinese community that the rights of other religions will be eroded if the opposition party is allowed to continue to be in power.
MCA president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, regarded the PAS state government's decision to close the entertainment centres during the fasting month as denying the rights of other religions in the country.
"We respect the Ramadan month and accept Islam as the official religion, but in this matter, we disagree, because there is an element of force," he told reporters after opening the Federal Territory MCA annual convention here tonight.
Dr Chua said that the DAP, which had all the while campaigned that PAS understood the needs of the Chinese community better, was now trapped with the action taken by their ally.
"In Kedah, it is a clear example that DAP has no influence over policies made by PAS," he added.
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