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Jakarta Post

Banten `debus' martial art form haram: MUI

JAKARTA: The Java and Lampung chapters of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) have issued a fatwa that debus, the Banten traditional martial art, is haram or forbidden under Islamic Law if magical items are used during its practice

(The Jakarta Post)
Thu, August 13, 2009 Published on Aug. 13, 2009 Published on 2009-08-13T13:10:24+07:00

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J

AKARTA: The Java and Lampung chapters of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) have issued a fatwa that debus, the Banten traditional martial art, is haram or forbidden under Islamic Law if magical items are used during its practice.

The verdict was announced after 150 members of the organization gathered in Serang for a two-day meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The head of the MUI's Banten chapter overseeing international and public affairs, Aminuddin Ibrahim, said debus and other similar martial arts would be categorized as haram should they use magic spells or help from spirits.

"But we will allow traditional martial arts that are practiced for reasons of health or fitness that do not involve magic," Aminuddin told Antara state news agency.

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