Bandung – Chairman of the fatwa (legal advice) commission of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) said here on Friday that the erotic stage act of dangdut singer Inul Andarista could be categorized as haram (banned by Islamic teaching) because of her suggestive moves.

"Nevertheless, MUI will not issue a fatwa over Inul's stage act," Ma'ruf said, as quoted by Antara after attending a program to publicize MUI's fatwa on intellectual property rights here.

Ma'ruf, who is leader of the Jakarta Darunnajah Islamic boarding school, said that Inul's erotic stage act was covered by MUI's fatwa No. 5 on pornography issued in July 2002. The fatwa stipulates that someone who promotes his or her body through pictures, electronic or print media, whether directly or not, is committing an act that is haram.

In addition, allowing one's body to be viewed through open or transparent clothing, either through pictures or by any other means of visualization, is haram.

"Inul's erotic dance had been included in the category of MUI's fatwa on pornography and erotic moves," he said, adding that such a dance ought to be banned because it would be very dangerous and damage the Indonesian community's morals.