Malaysia to study Botox

2006-01-24 11:52

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Islamic authorities will study whether Botox injections, used for cosmetic and medical treatment, are acceptable to the religion.

If the government's National Fatwa Council finds the chemical in Botox to be "unclean" by Islamic standards, it would be declared "haram" - forbidden for Muslims - said the Utusan Malaysia newspaper.

"We want to see whether or not it is filth," said Shukor Husin, spokesperson of the National Fatwa Council.

Botox is derived from a type of bacteria that causes botulism food poisoning. In minuscule doses, its paralytic qualities can smooth facial wrinkles and treat disorders such as cerebral palsy.

Shukor could not be immediately reached on Tuesday to confirm his comments.

Ethnic Malay Muslims, who make up nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 26 million people, are subject to Islamic laws and the National Fatwa Council.

The council's fatwa, or religious edicts, do not affect the Southeast Asian country's minority ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, whose members are mostly Buddhist, Christian and Hindu.

National news agency Bernama said the practices used to inject Botox would also be scrutinised to check whether it is similar to plastic surgery - which is prohibited for Muslims.

On Monday, the National Fatwa Council ruled that "black metal" music was unacceptable for Muslims, saying it can cause listeners to rebel against religion.

Black metal is a form of hard rock that often uses occult imagery and lyrics. It emerged in Europe in the early 1980s and has made inroads into Southeast Asia in recent years, but remains largely underground in Malaysia.

- AP