Mufti under fire for 'halal' stamp on Trump visit, as anger boils over Israel's flotilla attack

The mufti of the Federal Territories has come under fire from Muslims and pro-Palestinian supporters nationwide after his attempt to justify Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's red carpet welcome for President Donald Trump later this month, as Malaysians condemn Israeli attacks on the Gaza flotilla, which also involved dozens of local activists.

Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, who Putrajaya announced as the mufti earlier this year, tried to defuse growing protests against Trump's visit by invoking maqasid shariah, a branch of Islamic legal theory that explores the higher intent of Islamic laws for the public good.

Saying "emotions and radical sentiments" have clouded the narrative on Trump's visit, Fauwaz, the younger brother of Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil, argued that opposing the US leader's visit goes against the goal of preserving peace and civilisational progress as espoused in maqasid shariah.

Despite growing protests over Trump's open support for Israel, Fauwaz then attempted to portray the president's visit as that of a "non-Muslim leader" to whom Muslims should show hospitality.

"Islam also places great emphasis on manners towards guests. If a non-Muslim leader comes in an official and peaceful capacity, the host is obliged to provide appropriate hospitality as long as it does not imply recognition of policies that oppress or harm Muslims," he said in an essay on the FT mufti website.

Fauwaz said "extreme actions and boycotts" would damage Malaysia's reputation and open the possibility of economic and diplomatic pressure from Washington.

His remarks were widely condemned by Malaysians on social media, some of whom gave him the nickname "the Trump mufti".

"Given the facts and reality that are happening, can we still believe that President Trump is the guardian of peace and civilisational progress?" asked Syed Ahmad Fadhli. "And yet, you the mufti accused us of acting with emotion and sentiment. How strange."

Others were less diplomatic.

"I like salaried muftis," said X user Sparky, while Shaharudinali replied: "The all-knowing, with jargons to match."

Another user, Wykoff, posted, "You are the best, mufti Mcdani," in a play on words referring to a popular fast food brand that has come under the global anti-Israel boycott movement.

A lecturer at the International Islamic University, Muhammad Ikram Abu Hassan, questioned Fauwaz's justification for Trump's visit, and cited the Constitution of Madinah during the Prophet's era which is regarded as the first written constitution in Islam.

He said any economic justification on the basis that Muslims were facing "exceptional circumstances" is also not acceptable.

"The means to preserve and stabilise the country's economy and peace are not limited to inviting Trump. There are many other means available. Therefore, the argument of necessity does not apply," he wrote, adding that Muslims are forbidden from making peace with anyone who wages war against Muslims in other parts of the world.

This comes hours before Israeli forces intercepted 13 boats that formed part of the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza with much-needed humanitarian relief, arresting 200 participants from 37 countries, including 12 Malaysians.

Anwar's condemnation of the Israeli action was followed by a barrage of cybertroopers who flooded his Facebook page with supportive comments, seen as a familiar tactic to drown out critics as exposed by news portal Malaysiakini in a recent analysis of how fake accounts are used to boost the prime minister's image on social media.

"Fly to Israel. Aren't you always going abroad? Bring along Nurul Izzah Anwar, she likes to be a hero," wrote Ahmad Zulkhairie Amran in one of many comments on the prime minister's Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has backed calls to protest against Trump, ahead of a rally on Oct 3 near the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

"Malaysians must take this opportunity to express their hatred for Trump's evil plot to murder the people of Gaza. Do not let his 'crazy brain' make you assume that Malaysians will happily accept his bad behaviour. Show our opposition to Trump!" said Asri.

Earlier, Anwar's government praised Trump for his controversial 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.

The plan, announced by Trump after a meeting with Netanyahu and supported by the US's Arab allies, has been condemned by activists worldwide as a new form of colonialism and a recipe for Palestinian surrender.

"Trump’s 20-point plan must be exposed for what it is: an extension of the same violence Palestinians have endured for generations, now dressed up in the language of 'development'," said a statement signed by several Malaysian personalities.

"World leaders have no option except to denounce this sordid plan and unite to unequivocally support a Palestinian state."