Pahang Could Be The 2nd State To Enforce Syariah-Compliant Attire For Athletes

In a report by New Straits Times, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said yesterday, 21 January, that the government will be looking into the finer details before fully imposing the dress code on both male and female athletes.
 
"We (state government) have taken the first step to implement it by conducting a state-level seminar on Syariah-compliant attire for athletes here today and the resolutions were presented to me," he was quoted as saying by New Straits Times. 

"So we are making the necessary efforts and maybe it could be made compulsory for one or two sports but let's wait and see."

The departments include sports associations, academicians, Syariah experts, the state mufti, and sports apparel companies.

While Wan Rosdy acknowledged that this regulation could face challenges such as backlash from sports associations or from the athletes themselves, he asserted that adhering to Syariah-compliant attires is not to satisfy human demands.

"However, adhering Syariah-compliant attires is not to meet human requirements but it is part of the instruction and command from Allah (God) that has to be obeyed," he told New Straits Times.

"The progress to introduce Syariah-compliant dress code for athletes in the country is seen as positive. For example, Terengganu has established guidelines for the use of such attires."

According to Malaysiakini, the State Executive Council Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah explained that the move was in line with Terengganu government's policy of placing Islam as the main pillar of guidance, including for sports.

However, the Terengganu government did not give an enforcement time frame for the regulation.

Bernama reported that the sports listed include silat, fencing, archery, shooting, golf, wushu, tenpin bowling, taekwondo, judo aquatics, equestrian, netball, athletics, basketball, badminton, squash, volleyball, and sailing.