Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin described the move by a laundrette in Muar, Johor to limit its services to Muslims only as “narrow-minded.”

Asri said the practice ran contrary to the teachings of Islam, which does not seek to burden the lives of its adherents, and which also enables them to live harmoniously in multicultural societies.

“Narrow-minded views like this will lead to extremism, and (cause one to) lose balance when living in a multiracial and multi-religious society.

“Islam is a living religion, and acts in balance with its surroundings. Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is meant to make people’s lives easier, not cause hardship,” the Perlis mufti said when contacted by Malaysiakini...