Religious affairs exco Ahmad Yunus Hairi has urged the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to tighten its rules for approving events to prevent a repeat of the 'I Want To Touch A Dog' programme last Sunday.

The event which was aimed at breaking the taboo of coming in contact with dogs among Muslims have sparked outrage among conservatives.

"I propose that Mais should be more stern and impose stricter rules according to Islamic principles.

"Mais also needs to scrutinise other matters that may make it possible for organisers to take advantage of the approvals it grants," he was quoted as saying in a Sinar Harian report today.

He added if this is complied with, a repeat of the controversial event would not happen.

Mais in a statement on Tuesday defended its approval, stating that it was not informed that Muslims would be touching dogs at the event.

“The act of touching, hugging and kissing the dogs by Muslims on that day is highly regrettable as it goes against Islamic teachings.

"It was also not what was described by the organiser and does not match with the objectives set in the letter sent to us by the organiser," Mais chairperson Mohd Adzib Isa had said.

Dogs have generally been a taboo among Malaysian Muslims with conservatives believing that they are not allowed to come into contact with canines.


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