THE Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has declared its opposition to euthanasia, stating that it is 'tantamount to the act of killing'.

Its head of the Mufti office, Ustaz Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, said: 'Regardless of one's illness, and however sick one is, he or she shall not be killed because of desperation and loss of hope of recovery.

'Even with the consent or request of the patient, it is regarded as suicide and aggression against the other.'

Muis quoted a verse from the Islam holy book, the Quran, pointing to this prohibition: 'Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves, for verily, Allah hath been to you most merciful!'

Muis is the latest religious body here to take a public stand against mercy killing.

The head of the Catholic Church here, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, made a public condemnation of it on Sunday; this was followed on Wednesday by a statement in the same vein from the National Council of Churches of Singapore, which gathers 200 Christian churches and organisations under its umbrella.

In its statement, the church council came out staunchly against all forms of passive and active euthanasia, ranging from the denial of treatment, food and water to the administration of a lethal injection.

Buddhist and Taoist teachings also advocate respect for life and frown on euthanasia, their respective religious leaders have said.

The Hindus are the only group that sees the act as acceptable under certain circumstances.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.