The spiritual leader of Malaysia's Islamic party was urged Sunday to withdraw his call for Muslims to boycott consumer goods whose advertisements depict women in unIslamic dress.
Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has urged members of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and all Muslims to observe the boycott.
But the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is linked with PAS in an opposition alliance, said the call would fuel fears that Islam is an intolerant religion in Malaysia.
"The DAP is concerned that in the wake of the insensitive destruction of historic statues by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the call by Nik Aziz...will further lend credence to fears that Islam in this country is one of intolerance," said party secretary general Kerk Kim Hick.
Kerk, quoted by Bernama news agency, also said there should be no compulsion in dress codes.
Niz Aziz is also chief minister of the northeast state of Kelantan.
Female Muslims working in public places in the state must cover their bodies except for their hands and faces and wear headscarves. Last year local authorities fined 23 Muslim women small sums for breaching the rules.
PAS, the largest opposition party nationally, controls the state governments in Kelantan and neighbouring Terengganu.
Nik Aziz had said his boycott call was to teach companies which flouted state government regulations banning such advertisements that Islam does not allow women to expose their bodies.
"Recently I see that soft drink bottles also have pictures of such women. I advise PAS members and Muslims not to buy such soft drinks," he was quoted as saying.
The dress code was one of several measures introduced by PAS to implement an Islamic administration in Kelantan.
Local authorities also banned unisex hairdressing salons and massage parlours. Supermarkets were required to instal separate checkouts for men and women and there are separate seating arrangements at public functions -- KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)
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