Malay Muslim clerics firm on ban on Christian-rooted poco-poco dance
April 24th, 2011 - 11:47 am ICT by ANIKuala Lumpur, Apr 24 (ANI): Islamic clerics in Malaysia are firm on their ban on ‘poco-poco’ a popular dance form, claimed of having Christian roots, despite the country’s National Fatwa Council’s decision to allow the dance.
The Perak Fatwa council’s Mufti, Harussani Zakaria, said the state fatwa council was convinced that the dance contained elements of Christianity and spirit worshipp.
“We will not back down on our decision. It is final,” the Star quoted Zakaria, as saying.
Earlier, Zakaria had announced that the dance was ‘haram’. He further said that research showed the cross-shaped movement, normally associated with Christianity, could clearly be seen in the dance.
Zakaria said that this dance form has been originated from a ritual dance often practiced in Jamaica while the word “poco” referred to a kind of wild dance performed while possessed by “ancestral spirits”.
In its response, the National Fatwa Council said that the dance was not haram, if dancers do not follow acts that mimic the worshipping activities of other religions. (ANI)
- Malaysia bans Christian-rooted 'poco-poco' dance for being 'haram for Muslims' - Apr 02, 2011
- Malay Muslims asked not wear football jerseys with images of crosses, devils - Jul 19, 2010
- Muslims told wearing football jerseys with images of crosses, devils unIslamic - Jul 21, 2010
- Erotic poco-poco dancers, patrons in Malaysia caught in raid - Aug 10, 2010
- Malaysia 'won't ban Man U's 'Satan' shirts' - Jul 23, 2010
- 15 dead in Nigeria attack - Apr 29, 2012
- Converts to Islam should go public: Malaysian Muslim clergy - Sep 01, 2010
- Malaysian edict against yoga kicks up controversy - Nov 25, 2008
- Fatwa body tells Malay Muslims to find alternative to yoga - Nov 24, 2008
- Culture odyssey: The eclectic journey of Indian dance (Feature, With Images) - Jul 22, 2011
- Lyricist Javed Akhtar gets e-mail threat for criticizing Deoband fatwa - May 15, 2010
- Astad Deboo bridges social divide with Tagore choreography - Nov 12, 2011
- Malaysian cancer survivors disappointed with yoga ban - Nov 24, 2008
- Ethiopian dance, food fiesta in Delhi (With Images) - Oct 20, 2011
- Malaysian model's dad hopes she won't be caned - Aug 31, 2009
Tags: acts, ancestral spirits, christian roots, christianity, dance form, dancers, elements, fatwa, harussani zakaria, islamic clerics, jamaica, kuala lumpur, malay, mufti, muslim clerics, perak, religions, ritual dance, spirit, wild dance