They've got it right this time.....,

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 1:25 AM


Religious minister criticizes Muhammadiyah for anti-smoking edict

Erwida Maulia , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 03/15/2010 8:45 PM | National

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali criticizes Indonesia’s second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah for its anti-tobacco edict, saying it should act more wisely and not cause “restlessness”
among the public.

Muhammadiyah, which has estimatedly 30 million followers across the country, declared last week that smoking is haram, or forbidden under Islamic law.

The edict soon sparks protests among especially smokers and the tobacco industry, and many others who are objected with religious organizations’ interference in public lives.

The Indonesian Ulema Organization (MUI) has earlier issued an edict banning smoking, but only for children and pregnant women.

“This is related to many issues; not just religious but also economic ones. I hope (Muhammadiyah and others) act more wisely in issuing edicts as it will impact on many things," Suryadharma said after a Cabinet meeting on development issues at the Presidential Office in Jakarta.

( So it's alright than for men to smoke and harm their bodies? that's nonsense, smoking has proved to be harmful even for those who live around the person that smokes, and bapak Suryadharma seems to be interested solely with the health of the profit margin of the tobaco manufacturers, and not with the health of the citizens. it is clear;ly evident that this good man needs to read his Quran, specialy 7:157! si K's musings)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:30 AM


Apply smoking fatwa to Muhammadiyah members first, PPP lawmaker says

Bagus BT Saragih , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 03/16/2010 8:06 PM | National

Muhammad Romahurmuziy, the party chairman of Islam-based United Development Party (PPP), criticized the issuance of a 'haram' fatwa (edict) on smoking by the second-largest Muslim organization in the country, Muhammadiyah.

Romy, the nickname of Romahurmuziy, said that banning smoking was endorsed but should be implemented gradually.

“Muhammadiyah’s edict should be effective on its organizational members first before it acts as a fatwa affecting every Muslim in the country,” Romy said.

He said that banning smoking for Muslims nationwide could lead to a massive negative impact.

“Millions of Indonesians are currently tobacco farmers and cigarette workers. The edict may seriously affect the economy,” Romy said.

( How many times can wrong being interpreted into good? What Allah decreed haram is now good as long as you do it bit by bit? Specialy if it has something to do with making money! once again si Kesas' musings)

Muhammadiyah straightens out foreign funds-smoking "Fatwa" issue
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 21:51 WIB | National | | Viewed 208 time(s)
Surabaya (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Muslim organization Muhammadiyah straightened out Tuesday reports that it had received billions of rupiah from a foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) for its decision to issue a `haram` (religiously banned) edict (fatwa) on smoking.

"The issuance of the fatwa and the anti-smoking drive are two different things," Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsuddin said after attending a seminar on relations between Muhammadiyah and politics here on Tuesday.

He said the edict on smoking was discussed by Muhammadiyah`s lawmaking body (Mejelis Tarjih) and still constituted a legal view. It had not yet become a decision of the Majlis Tarjih which would be effective nationally.

According to plan, he said, the Central Board of the Majlis Tarjih will discuss the problem at a national meeting so that it could become an official decision by Muhammadiyah as a whole.

"In general, Muhammadiyah takes part in the United Nations` movement on the elimination of pandemic diseases in the world, among others, bird flu, swine flu, tuberculosis (TBC) and other respiratory infections," the Muhammadiyah chairman said.
In the international movement, he said, of course Muhammadiyah received funds both from donors at home and overseas.

"But the funds have nothing to do with the issuance of the edict that smoking is haram. This is only a coincidence which is complementary in nature," he said.(*)

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