The mufti of Kelantan today suggested that the National Fatwa Council conduct a study on the "poco-poco" to determine its legal validity before deciding whether to ban the line dance popular at social events.

Mohamad Shukri Mohamad said the matter had to be discussed at the federal level because it was a national issue and the states could take the cue from the ruling.

NONEPerak mufti Harussani Zakaria announced recently that the Perak fatwa committee had banned the dance as it contained Christian influences.

He told AFP today the "poco-poco" dance violated Islamic law.

"The poco-poco dance is actually a cult dance," he said.

"Our research indicates that the dance really originates from Jamaica and there are many Christian rituals to it as the moves reflect the making of a cross and so is unacceptable in Islam," he added.

"The dance is also practised in the Philippines and parts of Indonesia which have a Christian majority and so the dances have many Christian influences, which clash with Islam," Harussani said.

Many adults practise the dance, which is considered a recreational activity to keep fit.

The origin of the "poco-poco" dance is unclear but many believe it originated in Indonesia more than 20 years ago to accompany a song of the same name.

It is also a Jamaican word which relates to a wild dance under the possession of spirits.

Okay for for health reasons

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mashitah Ibrahim said yesterday the dance was a form of exercise and should not be banned nationwide.

Mohamad Shukri told Bernama the state fatwa committee could only apply edicts decided by the National Fatwa Council if they involved national issues for the sake of coordination.


He advised Muslims to leave it to the authorities to make a decision and not discuss the issue to the extent of allowing their differences of opinion to cause disunity.  

Yesterday, Mashitah also said: “So far, the decision has yet to be gazetted and has not taken effect. When it takes effect, it will only be in Perak as the decision was not the collective decision of the muftis nationwide.”

When asked whether the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) would consider banning the dance, Mashitah said it would be done if there was a complaint from the public.

NONE“So far, there is no complaint which says that the dance is associated with elements that contravene Islamic religious teachings. So, if nobody complained, there is no reason for us to study it,” she said.

Another top Islamic thinker Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin (right) said the dance should not be banned if it was done solely for health reasons.

"If it is merely for health reasons ... (and) is not linked to any false beliefs or mixed with immoral deeds like consuming alcohol, free sex and the like, then it is permissible under Islamic law," the former mufti of Perlis state said in his blog.

Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays, and the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities are becoming concerned over rising "Islamisation" of the multicultural country.

In 2008, highest Islamic body the National Fatwa Council banned yoga for Muslims, saying it could erode their faith.

But the decision triggered uproar from moderate Muslims, prompting then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to wade into the row, saying Muslims could do yoga as long as it had no Hindu spiritual elements.

- Agencies

Related stories:

Perak cleric bans 'Christian' line dance

Poco-poco ban: Johor awaits state mufti's confirmation

It's just fun exercise, says Mashitah