Indonesia issues fatwa against smoking

Jakarta, Jan. 27 (ANI): The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued an edict forbidding children, pregnant women and MUI members from smoking.

The edict, which was issued in a meeting here last Sunday, also bans smoking in public places.

Antara News Agency quoted the council's Edict Commission chairman Amin Suma in West Sumatera Monday as saying that MUI decided in the meeting that smoking for Muslims was between haram (forbidden) and makruh (objectionable).

He said that MUI would later formulate the form of sanctions against council members who smoked.

Suma said that the MUI meeting agreed on two rulings, namely one which banned smoking for children, pregnant women, in public places and MUI members, and the other which states that smoking was between haram and makhruh.

He said the adoption of the edict was based on the emergence of differences in opinions on whether smoking for Muslims was allowed or forbidden.

He said the public to act against smokers should not use the decision taken by MUI. (ANI)