T

he Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has not endorsed the fatwas issued at a recent gathering of Muslim clerics in East Java, a council leader has said.

The leader, Cholil Ridwan, added that he personally supported them.

The MUI does not discuss issues until the public sees them as essential and asks the council to begin a discussion, Cholil said.

"The MUI must issue a fatwa *on the issue* if there is a request from an institution or individual. As long as there is no request, the MUI will focus on its work," Cholil was quoted by detik.com as saying.

He was commenting on the controversial issuance of fatwas by a gathering of East Java clerics that forbade Muslims from modifying their hair such as by dyeing and straightening it, and from holding pre-wedding photo sessions.

The same gathering had previously forbidden Muslims from using social networking site Facebook.

The edict was endorsed by 250 leaders of Islamic boarding schools in Java and Madura.

They said that hair straightening was haram for women as it could lead to immoral acts if the intention was to improve physical appearance.

"If we refer to the syariat *Islamic law*, I have no objection to the fatwa," Cholil said.

Separately, MUI deputy secretary Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh said the fatwa that forbids Muslims from straightening their hair should be put in the right context or the public would find it misleading.

"If the intention and the outcome are negative, then it should not be allowed. But if the intention and the outcome are positive, then it is recommended," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Asrorun emphasized that straightening hair, known here as "rebonding", is a beautifying technique. It is permitted as long as the materials used do not harm users.

From an Islamic law perspective, he said, hygiene and beauty are recommended.

The clerics in East Java also forbade Muslim women from riding an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or becoming an ojek driver.

The clerics stated by riding an ojek a woman might touch or be close to a member of the opposite sex, or expose her aura.

Transportation observer Ofyar Tamin pointed out that ojek exist because of the need for cheap, fast transport, especially in places with severe traffic jams.

"People need ojek as an efficient mode of transport. If riding an ojek is forbidden, it will hamper the mobility of people," Tamin said.