Cover image via Lion In The Desert
Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria has declared that it is a "big sin" to build monuments in human forms
The religious leader was referring to the iconic Tugu Negara sculpture, explaining that such statues are considered haram in Islam
"Any living creatures, except for trees, cannot be built as a replica or monument if it is done in a condition with all limbs complete," added Harussani, as reported by The Malay Mail Online on 4 September.
The Tugu Negara serves a symbol of bravery to commemorate the fallen warriors during Malaysia's struggle for independence. It is also the world's tallest freestanding bronze sculpture grouping.
Adding to that, Harussani also lambasted the government's plans to include the Tugu Negara as part of the RM650 million rainforest park project
Stressing that the plan is a waste of taxpayers' money, Harussani said that the fund should instead be spent on more important things like the rakyat's welfare.
"Allocating RM650 million is a waste. It should have been used to improve the quality of life for the rakyat, which is more prudent than using it to beautify the monument so that people will come to worship it.
**"There are a lot of poor people in the country. If the same amount was used for housing and to develop vacant land, it would be more beneficial towards improving the life of the rakyat," said Harussani, as reported by Malaysiakini, yesterday, 5 September.**
An artist impression of the Canopy Walk in the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Image via Taman Tugu/Khazanah Nasional
Following suit, PAS Federal Territories Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin criticised the decision to invest in a park beautification project in times of economical crisis
"PAS Federal Territories Youth doesn't reject the idea to make Kuala Lumpur green, but the need for this project at this point in time is most unnecessary.
"The government should use the budget allocation for this project for more urgent needs of the rakyat," added Khairil, as reported by Malaysiakini yesterday, 5 September.
This talk of iconic monuments being haram is hardly new. Perak deputy mufti Zamri Hashim recently commented on Langkawi's eagle statue, asking for it to be demolished because it is haram.
On 3 September, Malay daily Berita Harian reported Zamri as saying that it is forbidden in Islam to sculpt or idolise statues of living things such as humans and animals.
He went on to say that such statues in existence must be demolished in line with the beliefs of the religion.
