The Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) has indicated that it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision on the legal challenge against its fatwa (edict) by Sisters in Islam (SIS).

According to SIS lawyer Farhan Haziq Mohamed, Mais had told the High Court today that it intends to seek leave to file the appeal in the Federal Court.

"At the same time, Mais indicated that it will apply for a stay of the proceedings in the High Court," Farhan told Malaysiakini.

Mais was represented by Majdah Muda.

Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the SIS legal challenge against the fatwa, which states that SIS had deviated from the teachings of Islam by promoting "liberalism and pluralism", had to be heard by the High Court and before a different judge.

This followed the High Court’s dismissal of the legal challenge, on grounds that the matter was under the jurisdiction of the syariah court.

Farhan said deputy registrar Norazlin Othman fixed April 10 for case management.

On March 2, a three-member Court of Appeal bench led by Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat unanimously ordered the matter be re-heard by the High Court, and before a different judge.

This follows KL High Court judge Justice Hanipah Farikullah having ruled that the court does not have the jurisdiction to grant relief sought by SIS.

“To my mind, that is the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court,” she said.

It was reported that SIS programme manager, Suri Kempe, had, on Oct 20, 2014, discovered an e-fatwa that singles out SIS as 'liberal deviants'.

Following that SIS filed the judicial application on Oct 31, 2014, naming the Selangor fatwa committee, the Selangor Islamic Council and the state government as respondents to challenge the fatwa.