Culture is neutral.

From the Star:

Henna-tattoo trend worries religious experts

SEVERAL religious and cultural experts have voiced their concern over the growing trend among Muslims of using henna to “tattoo” their bodies, saying this is forbidden in Islam, although the use of henna is permitted by the religion.

Mingguan Malaysia interviewed experts who said the act of “painting” one’s body was wrong, particularly if the “tattoos” depicted animals or humans.

Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the practice, which was a current craze among young Malays, mimicked unhealthy western culture, adding that since tattooing was prohibited by the religion, they resorted to using henna to paint their bodies.

“Even the use of the longer-lasting henna is prohibited because henna is only supposed to last for a short period of time. This trend certainly does not reflect Malay or Islamic culture,” said Dr Asri.

Cultural expert Prof Dr Siti Zainun Ismail said the use of henna freely today was an abuse of culture.

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Islam itself is Malays mimicking Arab culture and doing something new with it. We give ourselves Arab names and use Arab phrases -- alhamdullilah! insya'Allah! It's a form of innovation -- unhealthy in the sense that it's wrapped up in our concept of divine truth, which only leads in one direction (and who's really sure if it's the right direction?), but good in the sense that we are trying new things, incorporating foreign ideas into our way of thinking and, hopefully, growing up and out. And no matter how Arab we behave, it doesn't make us Arab. We are still Malay.

I'm not sure why "western" culture is viewed as an anti-thesis to Malay culture by so many people. Just like "Arab" culture, western culture is neutral. We can incorporate western practices into our lives and still be Malay (if I wear a black dress instead of baju kurung, am I not a Malay woman in a black dress?), and a healthy Malay at that.

I understand the argument being made about the over-use of henna as an "abuse" of culture, and using henna to create temporary tattoos as something potentially haram. But I wish our muftis wouldn't use the tattoo craze as an opportunity to push their anti-west agenda.