COMMENT | The Prophet once said that God gave us a brain to seek knowledge.

If Islam encourages critical thinking and decision-making, why are Malays forced to outsource thinking to the mufti in the contentious Federal Territories Mufti Bill?

The bill is divisive. It divides Muslims and non-Muslims. What if there is a fatwa whereby Muslims cannot patronise Chinese or Indian shops? What if Muslims are told that it is haram to visit open houses of other festivals?

Politicians reassure the non-Muslims that they will not be affected. Few believe them.

However, they say nothing about the bill seriously impacting Muslims, and they know that there will be no turning back.

This bill will also divide the Muslim community because it must rigidly conform to the...