FatwaNegeri SembilanSocial & Contemporary Issues
Menyambut Perayaan/ Pesta Pongal
Can Muslims participate in or celebrate the Pongal festival?
Short answer
The Negeri Sembilan Fatwa Committee ruled that it is prohibited and haram for Muslims to take part in, celebrate or organise the Pongal festival.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Fatwa Negeri Sembilan
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Negeri Sembilan Fatwa Committee ruled that it is prohibited and haram for Muslims to take part in, celebrate or organise the Pongal festival. The ruling rests on the festival being a religious celebration that contains elements of deity worship, ritual veneration and superstition. The fatwa lists these beliefs across the four days of the festival, including honouring the gods of cloud and rain, the Sun God, and cattle regarded as sacred.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Orang Islam adalah dilarang dan haram daripada menyertai, menyambut atau menganjurkan Perayaan Ponggal kerana ia mempunyai unsur-unsur penyembahan dewa-dewa, pemujaan dan khurafat.
Read the full fatwa on the Negeri Sembilan website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department. “Menyambut Perayaan/ Pesta Pongal”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/fatwa/menyambut-perayaan-pesta-pongal/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/can-muslims-celebrate-the-pongal-festival/