Dreamcatcher henna tattoo prohibited for Muslims

Muslim women who love to apply henna on their hands and feet need to be careful in choosing henna designs because there are some that symbolise other religious beliefs like the 'dreamcatcher'.

Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad said any design which could cause confusion because of its similarity with those of other religious beliefs should be avoided.

"Muslims must not resemble people of other religions...for example, wearing a cross-shaped pendant," he said when contacted by Bernama.

However, Mohamad Shukri said the ban was decided in general, based on the Islamic law.

He said Muslims must abide by the guidelines on the usage of henna which should be water absorbent, would not invalidate ablution and not from unclean material.

In some native American cultures, the dreamcatcher, a small hoop decorated with feathers and beads, is believed to give its owner good dreams.

At several locations in the federal capital, Bernama observed hat many henna tattoo artists offered dreamcatcher designs to their customers.

According to a henna tattoo fan who wanted to be known only as Mira, 24, said she was surprised when a henna artist at a night market in Shah Alam, Selangor told her that her stall was visited by officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department who informed her that dreamcatcher designs were not allowed.

-- BERNAMA