KUALA LUMPUR — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged the women’s rights group SIS Forum (Malaysia) to cease arbitrarily using the word ‘Islam’ in its name or any form of publication after the Federal Court decision to overturn a religious order by the state Islamic authorities today.
Disappointed with the Federal Court’s decision, the Selangor Sultan decreed that the word ‘Islam’ should not be arbitrarily used for the benefit and interests of the organisation.
Earlier today, A four-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in a 3-1 majority decision, overturned the fatwa, insofar as it applied to companies and institutions.
Previously, the Federal Court had allowed the appeal by SIS Forum and its co-founder Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, in their action challenging a 2014 fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee declaring the organisation as deviating from Islamic teachings.
His Majesty echoed the contents of a media statement issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) earlier today, regarding this latest decision.
Meanwhile, MAIS said it regretted that the Federal Court’s decision indirectly interfered with the making and application of fatwas relating to matters of Sharia law.
According to its chairman, Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, he is also concerned that the Federal Court’s majority decision in this case will open the door for irresponsible groups to hide behind the name of Islam within a company, organisation or institution to practice and spread deviant teachings that contradict Islamic teachings so that enforcement action cannot be taken against them.
“If this is allowed to continue, it will confuse and could undermine the faith of Muslims,” he said.
Salehuddin said that MAIS fully supports the dissenting judgment from Judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who stated that the jurisdiction to decide disputes regarding this fatwa is the Sharia Court.
He added that even though in this case the company involved is not a “real person” or “natural person” who can embrace Islam, the company is subject to the fatwa.
Salehuddin said that this is based on the name SIS, which is “Sisters in Islam”, that clearly shows the Islamic identity and activities of the company, which issues publications and statements about matters related to Islam.
Salehuddin also assured that he, together with the religious enforcement agencies in the State of Selangor, will always monitor and carry out enforcement to ensure that heresies and deviations from Islamic teachings can be eradicated.
“MAIS also urges and advises the Muslim community not to be involved in or support any programmes related to ideologies that have been declared as heretical and deviating from Islamic teachings, including liberalism and religious pluralism,” he said. – June 19, 2025