Halloween is ‘haram,’ declares Malaysia fatwa council

A Malaysian Islamic authority has banned Halloween celebration in a fatwa (religious edict), according to a local media report on Wednesday.

The country’s National Fatwa Council slammed the spooky tradition as “Western,” deviating away from the teachings of Islam.

"The Halloween celebration is clearly against the values of Shariah [sic]," the council said in an online post yesterday, referring to Islamic law, according to the Malay Mail Online reported.

The post further stated that Halloween honors the dead and is haram, meaning forbidden.

"It cannot be celebrated by Muslims. To remember those who have passed away, Islam suggests the practices of reciting doa (prayers) and Quran."

While Muslim groups in Malaysia have previously condemned events such as Oktoberfest beer festival and a "Touch A Dog" event, fatwas are reportedly not legally binding unless approved by the state, the Jakarta Post reported.