'Fatwa' on woman president circulates

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Copies of an Indonesian Council of Ulemas' fatwa (religious decree) opposing the appointment of a woman president have circulated widely in the city over the past few days.

The copies were first distributed at mosques after Friday prayers. In the decree, the council said women cannot become heads of state because it would be in violation of Islamic laws.

The head of the South Sulawesi office of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), K.H. Sanusi Baso, confirmed the presence of the decree, but refused to comment.

"That is the business of the main office of MUI," he said. He also refused to explain to reporters how the council reached the conclusion that Islam forbids women heads of state.

"That's too long a story," he said. (27)