Due to the release of a 15-minute anti-Islam movie by a Dutch MP, Geert Wilders, on a video-sharing website recently has drawn much attention from Muslims all over the world. Muslims have shown great sensitivity on this issue. One of the most aggressive responses by Muslims is the calls on to boycott Dutch products. Muslims are seen to be very sensitive on any offensive actions against Islam. Protests against this film have been made in most of Muslim countries. And in fact, the President of Indonesia, on behalf of the government and the people, has barred Wilders from entering Indonesia, while screenings of the movie were banned.
In Malaysia, we have seen that the Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia has urged all Muslim to boycott Dutch products. List of the products are now being spread all over the country, which are available at their official website (Note that Dumex & Nutricia have been removed from the list. For details, please refer the website). Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called Muslims to unite and boycott the products as a 'punishment' to Holland. Then, the famous wholesaler in Malaysia, Mydin stores, has also put the red label on all Dutch products at their premises and branches as a sign of protest and to remind the consumers not to buy the products. However, they would not be removed from the shelves since it is the right of each consumer to choose which brand to buy. Latest, the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia has called on Mulims to protest by boycotting Dutch products.
At Islam Online.net, Prominent Muslim Scholar, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi refuted allegations by a far-right Dutch lawmaker that the Noble Qur'an incites murder and hatred, outlining five ways to stand up to Islam offenders. He addressed that there are 5 ways can be used by Muslims to defend the Qur'an, and to response to such insult to Islam, as well as to the Prophet Muhammad:
>> "We need scholarly refutations to claims that Prophet Muhammad incited the killing of men and women. This should be done in several languages to reach all those who do not know the truth about the prophet of mercy."
>> "Heavyweight Muslim countries should have a manly stance in defense of Islam and its prophet.
>> "The peoples need to pressure their governments to take such a stand and prove to the world that the Muslim Ummah is still alive."
>> Need for artistic and media responses - "Movies and TV shows play an important role in clarifying the true image of a much-stereotyped Islam."
>> Boycotting the products of countries that allow its citizens to bash Islam
Source: IslamOnline.net
However, different opinions and arguments have been put forward towards the issue by independent writers, columnists and bloggers, particularly in Malaysia. Some may have said and agreed that to boycott Dutch products is not the right way to response, by questioning that what if one day, Malaysian products will also be boycotted by people all over the world just because of harsh and improper words or actions of a Malaysian MP. The insult has just been done by a Dutch MP, and not all the people there. We should also consider the sensitivity of Muslims, who are currently in Holland. Orang Melayu kata, "jangan cepat melatah". In fact, the Prime Minister of Holland has also made a clear statement that the government is against what Wilders has committed. Thus, approaches other than boycotting the products should be prioritized. Look here.
Hmm...what do you think? My personal view, I don't see any harm of boycotting the products. At least we have shown them that Muslims are sensitive enough when Islam is attacked, and not to just stay calm and cool (kononnya nak menggunakan pendekatan yang lebih hikmah). Refer an article written by Ustaz Zaharuddin on his webpage regarding this issue and to know what is his stand. But obviously, one thing to be highlighted, to boycott the products is not the only way. Of course, at the same time, we as Muslims must use other approaches in defending Islam, as outlined by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
In fact, we have plenty of alternative products currently in the market, produced by Muslim. It does not necessary that our vehicle will run better and more efficient if we use Shell, compared to Petronas. Try to read an article written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abdin, entittled "Isu Denmark dan Jihad Ekonomi" atau "Tanggungjawab Menyokong Perniagaan Muslim". Perhaps, people are waiting for him to say something on this current issue. We'll see..
The choice is yours..but Muslims should always unite!
In Malaysia, we have seen that the Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia has urged all Muslim to boycott Dutch products. List of the products are now being spread all over the country, which are available at their official website (Note that Dumex & Nutricia have been removed from the list. For details, please refer the website). Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called Muslims to unite and boycott the products as a 'punishment' to Holland. Then, the famous wholesaler in Malaysia, Mydin stores, has also put the red label on all Dutch products at their premises and branches as a sign of protest and to remind the consumers not to buy the products. However, they would not be removed from the shelves since it is the right of each consumer to choose which brand to buy. Latest, the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia has called on Mulims to protest by boycotting Dutch products.
At Islam Online.net, Prominent Muslim Scholar, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi refuted allegations by a far-right Dutch lawmaker that the Noble Qur'an incites murder and hatred, outlining five ways to stand up to Islam offenders. He addressed that there are 5 ways can be used by Muslims to defend the Qur'an, and to response to such insult to Islam, as well as to the Prophet Muhammad:
>> "We need scholarly refutations to claims that Prophet Muhammad incited the killing of men and women. This should be done in several languages to reach all those who do not know the truth about the prophet of mercy."
>> "Heavyweight Muslim countries should have a manly stance in defense of Islam and its prophet.
>> "The peoples need to pressure their governments to take such a stand and prove to the world that the Muslim Ummah is still alive."
>> Need for artistic and media responses - "Movies and TV shows play an important role in clarifying the true image of a much-stereotyped Islam."
>> Boycotting the products of countries that allow its citizens to bash Islam
Source: IslamOnline.net
However, different opinions and arguments have been put forward towards the issue by independent writers, columnists and bloggers, particularly in Malaysia. Some may have said and agreed that to boycott Dutch products is not the right way to response, by questioning that what if one day, Malaysian products will also be boycotted by people all over the world just because of harsh and improper words or actions of a Malaysian MP. The insult has just been done by a Dutch MP, and not all the people there. We should also consider the sensitivity of Muslims, who are currently in Holland. Orang Melayu kata, "jangan cepat melatah". In fact, the Prime Minister of Holland has also made a clear statement that the government is against what Wilders has committed. Thus, approaches other than boycotting the products should be prioritized. Look here.
Hmm...what do you think? My personal view, I don't see any harm of boycotting the products. At least we have shown them that Muslims are sensitive enough when Islam is attacked, and not to just stay calm and cool (kononnya nak menggunakan pendekatan yang lebih hikmah). Refer an article written by Ustaz Zaharuddin on his webpage regarding this issue and to know what is his stand. But obviously, one thing to be highlighted, to boycott the products is not the only way. Of course, at the same time, we as Muslims must use other approaches in defending Islam, as outlined by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
In fact, we have plenty of alternative products currently in the market, produced by Muslim. It does not necessary that our vehicle will run better and more efficient if we use Shell, compared to Petronas. Try to read an article written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abdin, entittled "Isu Denmark dan Jihad Ekonomi" atau "Tanggungjawab Menyokong Perniagaan Muslim". Perhaps, people are waiting for him to say something on this current issue. We'll see..
The choice is yours..but Muslims should always unite!
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