Commonwealth Games Scottie dogs 'disrespectful to Muslims'

Use of Scottish terrier dogs during Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 'shameful' and 'offensive', Malaysian politicians claim

Malaysian politicians and religious leaders have attacked the use of Scottie dogs during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, claiming it was disrespectful to Muslims.

Around 40 Scottie dogs were used in the opening ceremony in Glasgow last Wednesday to lead teams around Celtic Park.
The dogs, which all wore tartan dog coats with the name of each team on them, were widely praised on social media, with many people stating they thought they had "stolen the show". Hamish, who led out the Scotland team, received one of the biggest cheers of the night.

Judy Murray tweeted after the ceremony: "Scottie dogs in tartan coats at CG opening ceremony. Barkingly brilliant."
However, not everyone was as impressed. Political and religious leaders in Malaysia have claimed the use of dogs connected to Muslim countries was "disrespectful".

Many Muslims refuse to have direct contact with dogs, which are considered by some to be "unclean" in Islamic culture. Some overseas Muslim groups have reportedly previously called for a jihad on dogs.

Possibly making matters worse was the fact that Jock, who was supposed to lead out the Malaysian team, sat down and refused to move as soon as his coat was put on, meaning he had to be carried by the team representative.

Mohamad Sabu, the deputy president of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said: "Malaysia and all Islamic countries deserve and apology from the organiser.

"This is just so disrespectful to Malaysia and Muslims – especially as it happened during Ramadan. Muslims are not allowed to touch dogs, so the organiser should have been more aware and sensitive on this issue.

"It is hoped this incident can teach other Western countries to be more respectful in the future."

Dato Ibrahim Bin Ali, a far-Right politician, former MP and founder and president of Malay supremacist group Perkasa also called for an apology.

"I think it is unbecoming. The hosts have not been sensitive enough – especially in a so-called knowledgeable and civilised society like Britain," he said. "It is shameful and has offended not only Malaysia as a Muslim country, but Muslims around the world."

A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: "Glasgow 2014 have received no complaints from the Commonwealth Games Associations of the competing nations and territories following the Opening Ceremony."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10995961/Commonwealth-Games-Scottie-dogs-disrespectful-to-Muslims.html

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Are Muslims really not allowed to touch dogs??? I love cuddling my little poochie. Dogs are so cute. What about little puppies? HOW CAN THEY RESIST CUDDLING CUTE LITTLE PUPPIES??

This clip is a couple of years old.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say this is just one guy and these civilians just thought up the idea on their own(even though the reporter said it's been a strategy in the past). Can you provide actual evidence for your claims and not just what your friends say.

I'm not denying it's a densely populated area, but if they wanted to pick a spot nowhere near civilians they definitely could.

Are Muslims really not allowed to touch dogs??? I love cuddling my little poochie. Dogs are so cute. What about little puppies? HOW CAN THEY RESIST CUDDLING CUTE LITTLE PUPPIES??

The politician is on the extreme. Muslims are allowed to touch dogs. Muslims are encouraged to be kind to animals and pets. The only exception is keeping dogs as a pet. Dogs are allowed as things such as guide dogs, guard dogs, etc, but not as a pet. The simple reason is because of practicality. Dogs can be very playful, and friendly, and they can lick you and things like that. Dogs saliva is not considered overly clean, so when they lick you you need to change your clothes or make ablution again before you can do your prayers. It is more a practicality than a total diversion towards dogs. I cant say for certain as to whether they are considered unlawful in Islam as a pet, but i can find out for you.

Why would dog saliva be considered more 'unclean' than that of any other animal?

Saliva is the one thing. Cats are considered clean, i think goats and sheep fall in to that category too, but other animals would be similar to a dog.

If a puppy licked you on the hand only, would you be able to wash your hands and THEN pray? Or would you need to change your entire outfit every time?

If it was the hand only then you dont need to change your whole outfit, but you would need to do the entire abolution of course, you dont just wash you hand when you do ablution. Further Reading

Would it be frowned upon for a muslim to have a strong bond with their pet dog? What I mean is - Is the saliva of the dog the only issue? Is cuddling etc OK? (obviously not according to the Malaysian extremist but in general?

It wouldnt be frowned upon to have a bond, or connection, or treat the animal kindly, it is encouraged to be kind and friendly, just not have them as pets. I am not 100% on the cuddling thing. Ill definitely find the right advice if you want.

Is there some sort of scale that muslims use to determine the cleanliness of an animal? e.g. Pigs and dogs near the bottom I would guess

As a dog-lover I am honestly curious :)

Not a scale as such. A lot of it is derived from hadith and sunnah from our prophet and the four schools of thought. Their are some dogs i am fond of too, like those scottish terriers, the samoids, huskies, but unfortunately cant have them as pets.

Bordering on genocide? Its been systemic for decades.

1 - "You have no problem with the killing of civilians."
2 - "You all talk about Israels right to defend itself, what about the Palestinians"

Please provide the quote in which I said either of these two things.

Saliva is the one thing. Cats are considered clean, i think goats and sheep fall in to that category too, but other animals would be similar to a dog.

What makes cats, goats and sheep 'clean', whilst dogs and pigs are 'unclean'?

Who decides which side of the fence an animal sits on?

Have you ever owned pets? If so, what side of the fence did they sit on?

If it was the hand only then you dont need to change your whole outfit, but you would need to do the entire abolution of course, you dont just wash you hand when you do ablution. Further Reading

Interesting.

What about if you patted a dog?

What interactions with dogs would mean you'd have to do it again?

It wouldnt be frowned upon to have a bond, or connection, or treat the animal kindly, it is encouraged to be kind and friendly, just not have them as pets. I am not 100% on the cuddling thing. Ill definitely find the right advice if you want.

Personally, have you ever had a bond with a pet/animal?

If a young child wanted a puppy like his friends have, how would muslim parents explain to them that it is forbidden?

Not a scale as such. A lot of it is derived from hadith and sunnah from our prophet and the four schools of thought. Their are some dogs I am fond of too, like those scottish terriers, the samoids, huskies, but unfortunately cant have them as pets.

Surely there must be some sort of scale? How else would muslims know the rules when interacting with animals?

Could this prejudice against dogs and adoration of cats that muslims have, simply be because Muhammad happened to be a 'cat person'? I myself being a 'dog person' (never really liked cats) can still appreciate the bond that 'cat people' can have with their pets. Why should his personal preference mean that ALL muslims are forbidden to be 'dog people' and take great joy from the potential bond they could be sharing with their dog?

Attn; Zimbos.

Could this prejudice against dogs and adoration of cats that muslims have, simply be because Muhammad happened to be a 'cat person'? I myself being a 'dog person' (never really liked cats) can still appreciate the bond that 'cat people' can have with their pets. Why should his personal preference mean that ALL muslims are forbidden to be 'dog people' and take great joy from the potential bond they could be sharing with their dog?

Muhammad PBUH was fond of many animals. There are many stories of him, and people back then being kind to dogs, and giving them food, and water. There is a story of when the Muslims were in a battle, and on their way to the battlefield they came across a female dog and her puppies. Muhammed PBUh ordered a solider to stay with the dogs and look after them so that no one could harm them or disturb them. It is not a personal preference.

This is from a hadith, The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him throw away whatever was in it and wash it seven times." (Muslim)

Religion says it is unclean therefore it is unclean.

I ask you again to direct me to the quotes in which I defended the killing of civilians, or the occupation.

Interesting... What about my other questions? :)