The Miss Equality World 2026 pageant which recently went viral on social media was not held in Penang but in Bangkok, Thailand, Penang Mufti Prof Associate Datuk Dr Mohd Sukki Othman said.
He said checks against information released by the organiser showed that the contest took place in Bangkok from Aug 22 to 30, with one participant representing herself under the Malaysian name.
Mohd Sukki stressed that the participant’s use of Malaysia’s name did not mean she was an official representative of the Malaysian government.
“This correction is important. Islam teaches us to be fair with facts, even when dealing with matters we oppose,” he said here today.
He also reiterated that Islam has a clear position on individuals who deliberately imitate or alter themselves to resemble the opposite sex. He cited a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in which the Prophet Muhammad SAW condemned men who imitate women and women who imitate men.
However, Mohd Sukki said this should be distinguished from cases involving khunsa or intersex individuals, which concern biological characteristics and require expert assessment to determine the person’s sex.
He further urged Muslims to remain cautious about the promotion, celebration or normalisation of LGBTQ culture, particularly among younger generations.
At the same time, he stressed that religious rulings should not be confused with criminal offences, as any prosecution depends on applicable laws, jurisdiction, location and available evidence — especially since the contest in question was held in Thailand.
“Therefore, the public should not take the law into their own hands. If there is any breach of the law, leave it to the relevant authorities to assess and take appropriate action,” he said.
Mohd Sukki also reminded Muslims that taking a firm stance against LGBTQ issues does not justify insulting, hating or oppressing individuals involved, stressing that the door of repentance remains open.
“Our position must be clear. We reject the normalisation of LGBTQ, but we must not oppress people. We firmly say that what is forbidden remains forbidden, but we should never close the door of repentance.
“In an increasingly changing world, Muslims must not lose their religious compass simply because of cultural pressure and changing times. What is popular is not necessarily right, and what people celebrate is not necessarily approved by Allah.
“Stand firm on principles, be wise in preaching and protect the younger generation from the normalisation of matters that contradict Islamic teachings,” he added.
The clarification came after a video uploaded by TikTok account PU Syed Original went viral, showing a man described as having feminine mannerisms speaking at an event and drawing criticism from social media users.
