IRF: Unethical for docs to aid in hudud amputations
Published: Apr 29, 2014 5:00 AM | Updated: Apr 29, 2014 5:10 AM
Kelantan’s proposal for surgeons to assist in hudud amputations, should it be cleared for implementation, is “vile and outrageous”, said the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF).
Kelantan’s proposal for surgeons to assist in hudud amputations, should it be cleared for implementation, is “vile and outrageous”, said the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF).
As such, IRF director Dr Farouk Musa said that it is equally wrong for the Islamic Medical Association Malaysia (Imam) to say it can help with hudud, albeit not to the extent of performing the amputations.
Farouk (left), a surgeon himself, said Imam was hiding behind the lack of anaesthesia to justify their inability to conduct the amputation.
“In other words, Imam discreetly supports the idea of amputations by surgeons and was practically hiding behind the pretext of anaesthesia,” he said in a statement.
Similarly, Farouk said that IkramHealth, an NGO representing the Muslim medical community, is “perverted” to suggest that Muslim doctors can perform amputations as the hudud protects the greater good.
“This statement by IkramHealth is probably the most damning statement that signifies the perverted views of Muslim professionals due to the insidious indoctrination by the so-called ulama.
“Muslim doctors seemed to have lost their integrity in upholding their medical ethics that formed the foundation of their noble profession. Since when have physicians and surgeons metamorphosed to become executioners?” he asked.
He stressed that physicians and surgeons are “instruments of God on earth to heal” indiscriminately, including those found guilty of a crime.
The cardiothorasic surgeon also spoke against labelling the assistance in hudud punishment as a “religious duty”.
“It is morally wrong to consider this as a religious duty since religious duties only involve observing prayer, fasting, giving alms and performing the hajj. Executing punishment has nothing to do with religious duties,” he said.
‘How do we reattach a limb?’
He also differed with Imam, who argued that the hudud’s heavy burden of proof would ensure fairness.
“(How) could we reattach the hand of a man if he is later found to be innocent?” he asked.
Imam yesterday took on the Malaysian Medical Association for its blanket opposition to the surgeon-assisted Hudud plan.
Imam said that surgeons cannot perform the amputations as it is done without anaesthesia, and would breach the oath of the Muslim physician, but it can assist to stop excessive bleeding so as to preserve life.
Imam’s statement comes as IkramHealth, another Islamic NGO representing the Muslim medical community, gave its support for the implementation of the Hudud.
“The oath of the Muslim physician is subservient to the higher ideals of the syariah to protect and preserve the greater maslahah (benefit) of the general public,” IkramHealth said.
“(Physicians) are not doing any harm to an established criminal who has transgressed the boundaries of social justice and has to undergo a punishment that has been prescribed by Islamic law.”
The debate among the medical community was sparked by Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah’s statement that the state will ask surgeons to assist in hudud amputations.
The PAS-led Kelantan government, via PAS parliamentarians, is expected to table a Private Member’s Bill on the hudud as early as June.
This is to pave the way for the implementation of the state enactment on this, but the proposal has received severe opposition from Gerakan, MCA and DAP.
As such, IRF director Dr Farouk Musa said that it is equally wrong for the Islamic Medical Association Malaysia (Imam) to say it can help with hudud, albeit not to the extent of performing the amputations.
Farouk (left), a surgeon himself, said Imam was hiding behind the lack of anaesthesia to justify their inability to conduct the amputation.“In other words, Imam discreetly supports the idea of amputations by surgeons and was practically hiding behind the pretext of anaesthesia,” he said in a statement.
Similarly, Farouk said that IkramHealth, an NGO representing the Muslim medical community, is “perverted” to suggest that Muslim doctors can perform amputations as the hudud protects the greater good.
“This statement by IkramHealth is probably the most damning statement that signifies the perverted views of Muslim professionals due to the insidious indoctrination by the so-called ulama.
“Muslim doctors seemed to have lost their integrity in upholding their medical ethics that formed the foundation of their noble profession. Since when have physicians and surgeons metamorphosed to become executioners?” he asked.
He stressed that physicians and surgeons are “instruments of God on earth to heal” indiscriminately, including those found guilty of a crime.
The cardiothorasic surgeon also spoke against labelling the assistance in hudud punishment as a “religious duty”.
“It is morally wrong to consider this as a religious duty since religious duties only involve observing prayer, fasting, giving alms and performing the hajj. Executing punishment has nothing to do with religious duties,” he said.
‘How do we reattach a limb?’
He also differed with Imam, who argued that the hudud’s heavy burden of proof would ensure fairness.
“(How) could we reattach the hand of a man if he is later found to be innocent?” he asked.
Imam yesterday took on the Malaysian Medical Association for its blanket opposition to the surgeon-assisted Hudud plan.
Imam said that surgeons cannot perform the amputations as it is done without anaesthesia, and would breach the oath of the Muslim physician, but it can assist to stop excessive bleeding so as to preserve life.
Imam’s statement comes as IkramHealth, another Islamic NGO representing the Muslim medical community, gave its support for the implementation of the Hudud.
“The oath of the Muslim physician is subservient to the higher ideals of the syariah to protect and preserve the greater maslahah (benefit) of the general public,” IkramHealth said.
“(Physicians) are not doing any harm to an established criminal who has transgressed the boundaries of social justice and has to undergo a punishment that has been prescribed by Islamic law.”
The debate among the medical community was sparked by Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah’s statement that the state will ask surgeons to assist in hudud amputations.
The PAS-led Kelantan government, via PAS parliamentarians, is expected to table a Private Member’s Bill on the hudud as early as June.
This is to pave the way for the implementation of the state enactment on this, but the proposal has received severe opposition from Gerakan, MCA and DAP.
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