April 14, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1428

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13: A Muslim council in Malaysia has issued a religious ruling or fatwa banning people from using the Internet to trade shares or makes investments, reports said on Friday.

National Fatwa Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin said non-Muslim investment schemes accessed through the Internet pay interest and guarantee a steady profit, which is banned under Islamic or Shariat law.

“We advise those making investments via the Internet to stop immediately,” Abdul Shukor was quoted as saying in Malay-language daily Berita Harian.

“There are many alternative investment schemes based on Islamic principles initiated by the government which Muslims can participate in,” he said. Islamic funds ban the earning of interest and cannot invest in companies associated with tobacco, alcohol or gambling, which are considered taboo by Muslims. —AFP