JAKARTA, 21Jan 2009: A “fatwa” (edict) on whether it is permissible or forbidden for Muslims to smoke is expected to emerge from a meeting of about 700 Indonesian “ulama” over four days from 23 Jan in Padang Panjang, western Sumatra.
Indonesian Ulama Council chief Ma’ruf Amin said the meeting would discuss the pros and cons of smoking as well as its economic significance in relation to the tens of thousands of workers engaged in the cigarette manufacturing cottage industry.
He said the meeting would also discuss several other issues, including inter-religious relations, yoga exercise, pornographic laws and refraining from exercising the right to vote in elections. — Bernama
See also: National Fatwa Council rules yoga to be haram
National Fatwa Council forbids tomboyism
