The Jakarta Post.Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari reaffirms her support for the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)'s planned issuance of a ruling (fatwa) prohibiting cigarette smoking.
“I am happy and glad about the fatwa,” Supari said in Magelang, Central Java, Saturday morning.
Supari said that her support for the ruling was due to the adverse effects smoking has on human health.
When asked to comment on the possible effect of the ruling on the country’s tobacco industry, the minister said the matter is beyond her authority.
“That is not the concern of the health minister, but rather the trade and industry minister. As far as the health minister is concerned, I support the ruling,” Supari said, as quoted by Antara.
MUI have previously declared cigarette smoking as offensive or makruh.
Meanwhile, an Nahdlatul Ulama official said MUI’s possible issuing of a fatwa prohibiting cigarette smoking could prove detrimental to national economy
Muzaenah Zein, who is the third secretary of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, told participants of the Fatayat NU National Conference in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Saturday that he felt the ruling was extreme and detrimental to the nation’s economy, as it would affect the country’s tobacco industry.
“Cigarette smoking is considered offensive (makruh), as it is detrimental to one’s health. However, it would be better if the prohibition were conveyed through religious counsel and missionary work (instead of a fatwa),” he said, as quoted by Kompas.com.
“Raising people’s awareness and understanding over the adverse effect of smoking would be more effective. This way we can avoid a conflict of interest, particularly that of the nation’s economy,” Zein added. (amr)
