Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF), Where is the Islamic in it?

Recently, Muslims in Malaysia are exposed to the news of the organisation of the Muslim Fashion Festival at the international level whereby some of the models not only expose their ‘aurah, some were even shown wearing the word ‘Muhammad’ on their chests.

 

In actuality, the festival held in Monte Carlo on August 9 was not the first time it was held. It has been held several times before but this time the fashion in the festival is most definitely beyond the boundaries thus contrary to Islamic law. We can see and evaluate ourselves based on the photographs, which have been spread wide in the internet, how can we accept women’s fashion that exposes the hair, thighs, legs, chests, backs, shape of the body and then the name ‘Islam’ plastered on the fashion? Whose teachings are that who would say those are Muslim women clothing? Let us ponder God's commandments contained in Surah an-Nur ayah 31, which means;

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards God, that ye may attain Bliss.

We also ponder the meaning of the sayings of the Prophet;

From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu 'anhu, he said, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhiwasallam said, "Two groups of occupants of Hell that I never saw (during my lifetime): The people who have whips like the tails of cattle and they whip people with it. The second is women who are naked even though they are dressed, these women walk swaying away and the buns of their hair are those like camel humps. And such women as these will not smell the Heavens. Know that the smell of Heaven can already be smelt of such and such a distance."

[Hadith narrated by Muslim]

It is sad when we are told that this festival is organized by people who profess the Syahadah and are Muslims. It is not surprising when disbelievers portrait a bad image of Islam when Muslims themselves have followed in their footsteps. Perhaps the noble intentions behind such a festival is to display an 'Islam' image that is modern, moderate, progressive, and anti-terrorism. But the fact is that this organization seems simply to meet the needs of malicious enemies of Islam and following the West.

Customarily, Muslims in Malaysia would refer to the JAKIM halal stamp in choosing food, beverages, cosmetics, and products which are guaranteed halal and conform to the Islamic laws. In banking and finance it is definite for the bank to have its own Sharia panel to monitor and supervise all the procedures, terms and products branded Islamic so that it really does not deviate from the teachings of Islam. In fact, for all the da’i who want to talk and give lectures related to religious affairs in the mosque also need credentials from the Islamic religious department of the particular state as license of approval to speak about Islam.

So, we should ask the organizers of IFF where is the 'Halal stamp' of JAKIM which allows the name of Islam affixed with the name of their program? Or who are the panel of Islamic scholars and clerics that monitors and gives approval to that fashion given the brand of Islam? If such a thing could not be proved, it is reasonable for Muslims to rise and urge for the organizers to drop the word Islam from the festival in order to save the dignity of our religion from being tarnished in such a way. However, if the organisers still want to continue their noble intentions to promote Islam around the world, I DEMAND for the set up of a panel of Sharia experts that would monitor the designs to be issued and ensure that all relevant aspects of the festival is in compliance with Islamic law and free from immoral elements.

I also urge the organizers to publicly apologize for their actions which show fashion that goes against Islamic law. They must also promise not to repeat this heinous act in the future. In closing, let us ponder the words of Allah in Surah al- Ahzab verse 36, which means;

It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys God and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.

(al-Ahzab:36)

ZATIL ARIFAH BT MOHD AMIN,
VICE PRESIDENT 3,
STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL 2009/2010,
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA.